Swami Sivananda - Sixty-Three Nayanar Saints

First Edition 1962 2,500 copies

Second Edition 1980 1,000 copies

Third Edition 1990 1,000 copies

Fourth Edition 1997 1,000 copies

World Wide Web (WWW) Edition : 1999

WWW site: http://www.rsl.ukans.edu/~pkanagar/divine/

This

reprint

PUBLISHERS’NOTE

ThefirsteditionofthisraretreatiseonSixty-threeNayanarSaintsfromtheprolificpenof theHimalayanSageandSavant,SriSwamiSivananda,waspublishedbytheDivineLifeSocietyof SouthAfricain1962.TheinvaluableservicesrenderedbySriSwamiRamanandaof Sivanandashram,Rishikesh,inthepreparationofthemanuscriptwasdulyacknowledged.

Thispreciousbookhasbeenoutofprintforalongtime.Thefourtheditionof1,000copies isnowbeingpublishedbytheDivineLifeSociety,MalaysiaBranchthroughthecourtesyand generosityoftwodevoutdevotees:GuruSevaRatnaSriV.SeenivasagamandGuruBhaktiRatna SriT.SaravanamuthubothofwhomhavehadlongconnectionswiththeDivineLifeSociety, MalaysiaBranch.

TheSaivitesinMalaysiaandtheworldatlarge,andtheHindusingeneral,willheartily welcomethispublicationasagreatboon.ApartfromthebiographiesoftheSixty-threenayanar Saints,thisbookcontainsanauthoritativearticleontheSaivaSiddhantaPhilosophy,thelifeof SaintManicckavasagar,selectionsfromtheutterancesofNayanarsaints,andarticlesonGloryof LordSiva,andPujaandIshtaDevata,allbySriSwamiSivananda,andanevaluationofthe Nayanars’MessageforusbySriSwamiVenkatesananda.

WeexpressourindebtednesstotheDivineLifeSocietyHeadquartersforgranting permissiontopublishthiseditioninMalaysia.

-THEPUBLISHERS

THESAIVASIDDHANTAPHILOSOPHY

(SriSwamiSivananda)

Introduction: InthebookswhichtreatofSaivism,thereisareferencetofourschools,viz., theNakulisa-pasupata,theSaiva,thePratyabhijnaandtheRasesvara.

SaivaSiddhantaisthephilosophyofsouthernSaivism.Itowesitsorigintonosingleauthor. ItismidwaybetweenSankara’sAdwaitaandRamanuja’sVisishtadwaita.Itsliteratureconsists chieflyof:(1)thetwenty-eightSaiviteAgamas,(2)thecollectionofSaivitehymnsknownas TirumuraicompiledbyNambiAndarNambi,(itcontainsTirumanthiramofTirumular;the ThevaramofAppar,Sundarar,andSambandar,andtheTiruvachagamofManickavachagar),(3) thecollectionofthelivesofSaivitesaints,knownasthePeriyapuranam,(4)Meykandar’s Siva-jnanabodham,(5)Arulnandi’sSivajnanasiddhiar,andtheworksofUmapati.Tirumular’s workTirumanthiramisthefoundationuponwhichthelaterstructureofSaivaSiddhanta philosophywasbuilt.

ThecentraldoctrineoftheSaivaSiddhantaphilosophyisthatSivaistheSupremeReality, andthattheJivaortheindividualsoulisofthesameessenceasSiva,butnotidentical.Pati(God), Pasu(soul),andPasa(thebonds)andthethirty-sixTattvasorprincipleswhichconstitutetheworld, areallreal.

TheSaivaSiddhantasystemisthedistilledessenceofVedanta.ItprevailedinSouthern IndiaevenbeforetheChristianera.TirunelvelyandMaduraarethecentresoftheSaivaSiddhanta school.Evennow,SaivismisaverypopularcreedinSouthIndia.Itisarivalschoolof Vaishnavism.

CharacteristicsoftheSupremeReality:TheSupremeRealityiscalledSiva.Heisinfinite consciousness.Heiseternal,changeless,formless,independent,omnipresent,omnipotent, omniscient,onewithoutasecond,beginningless,causeless,taintless,self-existent,everfree,ever pure,andperfect.Heisnotlimitedbytime.Heisinfiniteblissandinfiniteintelligence.Heisfree fromdefects,theall-doer,theall-knower.

LordSivaistheGodofLove.Hisgraceisinfinite.Hisloveisinfinite.Heisthesaviourand Guru.Heisengagedinfreeingthesoulsfromthethraldomofmatter.Heassumestheformofa GuruoutofHisintenseloveformankind.HewishesthatallshouldknowHimandattainthe blissfulSiva-Padam(thestateofSiva).Hewatchestheactivitiesoftheindividualsouls,andhelps themintheironwardmarch.Heliberatestheindividualsoulsfromtheirfettersorbonds.

TheFiveActivitiesoftheLord:ThefiveactivitiesoftheLordare:Creation,Preservation, Destruction,VeilingandGrace.These,separatelyconsidered,aretheactivitiesofBrahma,Vishnu, Rudra,Maheshwara,andSadasiva.

Siva,ShaktiandMaya:LordSivapervadesthewholeworldbyHisShakti.Heworks throughShakti.ShaktiistheconsciousenergyoftheLordSiva.SheistheverybodyofLordSiva. Thepotteristhefirstcauseforthepot.Thestickandthewheelaretheinstrumentalcauses.Theclay

isthematerialcauseofthepot.Similarly,LordSivaisthefirstcauseoftheworld.Shaktiisthe instrumentalcause.Mayaisthematerialcause.

Shaktiisnotthematerialcauseoftheuniverse,becauseSheisofthenatureof consciousness(Chaitanya).Sivaispureconsciousness,butmatterispureunconsciousness.Shakti istheintermediatelinkbetweenthetwo.

ShaktiisthereflexofSiva.Ithasnoindependentexistence.Sivaassumesthisformoutof Hisgreatloveformankind.SivawishesthatallshouldknowHim.

EvolutionoftheTattvasfromSuddhaMaya:Theworldundergoesevolutionforthebenefit ofthesouls.Thewholeprocessofcreationisforthesakeofthesalvationofthesouls.Theworldis realandeternal.TheworldofmatterandsoulsformsthebodyoftheLord.

TheSaivaSiddhantaanalysestheuniverseinto36Tattvasorprinciples,asagainstthe25of theSankhya.The36TattvasarisefromMaya,thematerialcauseoftheworld.SuddhaMayais Mayainitsprimalstate.FromitarisethefivepureprinciplescalledSivaTattva,ShaktiTattva, SadasivaTattva,IswaraTattva,andSuddhavidyaTattva.Sivafunctionsthroughthesefivepure principles.

Mayaevolvesintothesubtleprinciples,andthenintothegross.SivaTattvaisthebasisof allconsciousnessandaction.Itisundifferentiated(NishkalaSuddhaMaya).TheShaktiofSiva startsheractivity.ThenSivabecomestheexperiencer.ThenHeiscalledSadasiva,knownalsoby thenameSadakhya,WhoisnotreallyseparatefromSiva.TheSuddhaMayabecomesactive.Then Siva,theexperiencer,becomestheruler.HeisthenIswara,Whoisnotreallyseparatefrom Sadasiva.Suddhavidyaisthecauseoftrueknowledge.

Thebondsthatbindthesoul (Anava,Karma,Maya):Souls(Pasu)arebynatureinfinite, all-pervading,eternal,andall-knowinglikeLordSiva(Pati).Yettheythinkthattheyarefinite, limitedandlittle-knowing,ignorant,andtemporary.Thisisduetothebonds(Pasa),viz.,Anava, Karma,andMaya,whicharecalledthethreeMalasorimpurities.Anavaistheimpuritywhich makestheall-pervadingJivathinkitselftobeatomic(Anu).Itproducestheerroneousnotionof finiteness.ThesecondimpurityorbondisKarma.Thesoulactsincertainwaysonaccountofits limitation,anddoesgoodandevilactions.Karmabringsabouttheconjunctionofthesoulwithits body.TheresultsoftheKarmahavetobeworkedoutintheworld.Thereshouldbeworldsand bodies,inordertoexperiencethefruitsofactionsandacquireknowledge.Theseareprovidedby Maya,thethirdMalaorbond.Mayaisthematerialcauseoftheworld.Thesoulgetsexperienceand limitedknowledgethroughMaya.

Thesoullearns,bylongexperience,thatthisSamsaraisfullofpainsandistransitory,and thathecanattaineternalblissandimmortalityonlybyattainingSivatvaorthenatureofSivaor God-realisation.HedevelopsVairagya(dispassion),andViveka(discriminationbetweentheReal andtheunreal,thePermanentandtheimpermanent).

DisciplineandgraceculminateinJnana.Jnanaisthesuprememeansofsalvationorthe attainmentofthefinalbeatitude.Karmaandothermeansareonlysubsidiarytoit.Theyare auxiliaries.

TheattainmentofSivatvaorSiva-naturedoesnotmeancompletemergingofthesoulin Siva.Theliberatedsouldoesnotloseitsindividuality.ItcontinuestoexistasasoulinGod.Sivatva istherealisationofanidentityofessenceinspiteofdifference.ThesoulattainsthenatureofSivaor God,butitisnotitselfSivaorGod.

ThreeordersofJivas:TheSiddhantinsdivideJivasorPasusintothreeorders,viz., Vijnanakalas,PralayakalasandSakalas.VijnanakalashaveonlytheAnavaMala(egoism).Maya andKarmahavebeenresolved.PralayakalashavebeenfreedfromMayaalone,inthestageof Pralaya.SakalashaveallthethreeMalas.

TheMalasaffectonlytheJivas,andnotSiva.ThosewhoarefreedfromtheMalasor impuritiesattainSivatvaorthenatureofSiva.TheyaretheSiddhasorperfectedbeings.

ThewaytotheattainmentofSivatvaorGod-realisation:Youmustfreeyourselffromthe threebonds,ifyouwanttoattainsalvation.YoumustannihilateMaya,whichistherootofallsins. YoumustdestroyallKarmaswhichproducerebirth.Youmustremovetheerroneousnotionofa finiteself.

ThethreebondscanberemovedonlythroughrigorousTapasandproperdiscipline,thehelp ofaGuru,and,aboveall,thegraceofLordSiva.Charya(observance),Kriya(rites),andYoga (Yama-Niyama)constitutethediscipline.WhentheaspirantpractisesinrightearnestCharya, KriyaandYogaheobtainsthegraceofLordSiva.ThentheLordinstructsthesoul,revealsHimself andillumineshim.ThenthesoulrealisesitsnatureasSiva.

GuruPuja

ItiscustomarytoobservethedayonwhichthesesaintsattainedtheLord’sFeet,asaholy day.GivenbelowaresuchdaysinrespectoftheFourGreatSaiviteteachers,withtheirrespective holydays,accordingtotheTamilCalendar.Pray,fastandstudytheirlivesinthesedays.

Tirunavukkarasar

Tiru-Jnanasambandar

Manickavachagar

SundaramurthiSwamigal

ChitraiSadayam VaikhasiMoolam

AniMakham

AdiSwathi

THENAYANARS’MESSAGEFORUS

Howshallweevaluatethisworkbyasaintonthelivesofsaints?AwisesayinginSanskrit echoeswhatwemeanby‘OnlyaShakespearecanunderstandShakespeare.’Gurudev’ssecondless devotiontoGodisamplyreflectedintheinspiringpresentationofthesegreatlives,simple,lucid andtouching.Wecouldhavehadnonebetterqualifiedforit.Gurudev’shandlingofitaddslustreto theillustriouslives.

Therehavebeenmany‘intellectuals’eveninIndiawhohavelookeddownuponthepathof Bhakti(devotion)assomethinginferiortoJnana(wisdom).Theirshort-sightednessbecomesat onceapparentwhenwestudythelivesofthegreatFourTeachers(Appar,Sundarar, ManickavachagarandSambandar)andrealisethatthesegreatJnanis,too,weregreatBhaktaswho lovedtovisitthetemplesandsingthegloriesoftheLord.LookatthehumilityofApparwhocarried Sambandar’spalanquin:thisremindsusofGurudev’sowninimitablehumility.Itisnotbornofthe weaknessoftheignorant:butitistheculminationoftrueknowledge!

Howshallweunderstandthewonderfulspiritofrenunciationthatcharacterisedthelivesof manyroyalNayanars,ifweregardthemasweaklings?Theyhadunderstoodthetruenatureofthe world,andwantedonlyGod.CanwenotdrawaparallelinourowndivineMasterwho,similarly, renouncedaroyallifeofadoctorinMalaya,inexchangeforpovertyandthebeggingbowl?Love oftheLordcutsattheveryrootofourattachmenttothisworld,andsnapsallworldlyties,tofather, mother,son,wifeorrelatives.AsthestoriesoftheNayanarsillustrate,thedevoteeiseverreadyto renounce all, infavourofdevotiontoLordSiva.ChandesvaraNayanar,inhiscompleteabsorption inHisworship,couldinflictamortalblowonhisownfather:but,thatwasbecausehesawnothis father,but anobstacle toSivaPuja.WhenArivattayaNayanarfound,forinstance,thathisweak bodywasgettingunfittocarryonHisworship,hewasreadytocuthisownthroat.IfMurkha Nayanarchosetogambleandevenresorttoviolencetocarryouthisvow,KannappaNayanar wouldpullouthisowneyestoservetheLord!Thisgreattruthhasbeenbeautifullybroughtout againandagainintheselives—loveofGodcompletelyremovesthedevotee’sattachmenttohis ownbody.WhocouldevenapproachSiruthondar’sbreath-takingdevotiontotheLordandHis devotees?

LetusalsoneverforgetthatinthecaseofalltheNayanarsdevotioninvariablymeant expansionoftheheart,and,therefore,serviceandcharity.

Itisessentialthat,inourstudyofthesegreatlives,wetakethem asawhole:thesixty-three blendingintoonemarvellousscriptureondevotion.Else,itmightleadtoperversion.Perversionin spiritualpathcanbequitedisastrous.Gurudevwouldoftennarrate,forexample,thecaseofa wickedmanwhowouldcatchfishintheGanges,cutitandeatit,quoting(asadevilwould)from theGita:‘WeaponcannotcuttheAtma,whichisimmortal.’TheperverseintellectreadsintheGita, asanctionfortheuseofviolence.StoriesinwhichthereisseeminguseofviolencebytheNayanars havetobereadwiththiscaution:wehavetotakethemasallegoriesexhortingustoroutoutthe innerobstaclestoourSadhana,ruthlessly.ThestoryofEripathaNayanar,forinstance,shouldbe takenasanexhortationforustokilllust,angerandgreed,thepowerfulimpedimentsonour spiritualpathwhich,inthetwinklingofaneyewreckourworshipoftheLord.

Ifwestudythelivesasawhole,wewillnotfailtonotethatAnayaNayanar,andPusalar NayanarholdbeforeustheidealParaBhakta,supremeexemplarsofthehighestformofdevotion.

Ifweapproachthesesaintswithfaithanddevotioninourhearts,weshallgraspthemessage theyhaveforus.Weshallalsounderstandwhytheygavesuchagreatplacetoexternalslikethe sacredash,Rudraksha,etc.ThesesymbolsremindoneconstantlyofGod:and,whentheyaresaid toremoveoursins,theyremoveoursinfultendencies,too,byconstantlyremindingusofGod,and keepingeviloutofourmind.

MayweallwalkthepathofdevotionandattaintheLordinthisverybirthismyhumble prayeratthedivinefeetofourmaster.Thatistheonlywayinwhichwecanrepaythedebtweowe himforwhathehasdoneforus.

DustofGurudev’sFeet Venkatesananda

1.SUNDARAMURTHINAYANAR

SundaramurthiNayanarflourishedinthe8thcentury.HewasagreatdevoteeofLordSiva. HeisoneoftheTamilSamayaAcharyas(fourTamilreligiousTeachers).

SundaramurthiNayanarsangthegloriesofLordSivaatallthesacredplacesthathevisited. ThesehymnsarecalledThevaram.Theyhavebeencollectedintoabook-form.Alldevoteessing theThevarameventoday.ThehymnssungbySundarar,ApparorTirunavakkarasu,andTirujnana SambandararecalledThevaram.ThehymnsofManickavachagararecalledThiruvachagam.

SundararhadtheSakhyaBhavaortheattitudeofafriendtowardstheLord.Hefreely demandedoftheLordwhateverhewanted.Hedidnotdosowithselfishdesire,however.Whatever heaskedforwasforthesakeofthosewhoweredependentonhim.Helivedonlyeighteenyears.

SundaramurthiNayanarwasborninThiruNavalurwheretheentireatmospherewasfullof spiritualvibrationsandSaivismwaswellestablished.Inthisplace,therelivedapious,devoutand respectedBrahminbynameSadaiyanarwhoseancestorswereallardentdevoteesofLordSiva. Isaignaniarwashisdutifulwife.Shegavebirthtoadivinechildwhomtheparentsnamed‘Nambi Arurar’afteritsgrandfather.

InhispreviousincarnationArurarwasAlalaSundarar,whowasanardentdevoteeofLord Siva.WhentheMilkyOceanwasbeingchurnedbyDevasandAsuras,adeadlypoisonbeganto spreadonthesurfaceoftheoceanthreateningtheexistenceofallbeings.ThenAlalaSundarar collectedthatpoisoninhishandandgaveittoLordSivaWhodrankitfortheprotectionofthe world.Hence,SundarargotthewordAlala(forHalahala,thepoison)prefixedtohisname.

OncewhenAlalaSundararwaslivingbythesideofLordSivaintheMountKailas,serving theLordandbringingflowersfromthegardenforHisworship,hecastalustfullookatAninditiand Kamalini,theattendantsofGoddessParvathiwhohadalsogonetothegardentocollectflowersfor thedivineMother’sworship.They,too,fellinlovewithhim.LordSiva,throughHisdivinevision, understoodallthathadhappenedinthegarden.HecalledAlalaSundararandsaid:‘Sundarar,since youfellinlovewiththesegirls,youandthey,too,willgodowntotheearthandtakeahumanbirth. Youwillmarrythemandenjoythepleasuresoftheworld.’Sundararweptbitterly,regrettinghis follywhichhadresultedinhisseparationfromtheLord.HeprayedtotheLord:‘OhLord!Itisdue tomyevilthoughtthatIhavetoundergothisseparationfromThee.IamafraidlestIshouldbe steepedinignoranceandforgetThee.OhLordofmercy!Letthisnothappentome.OhLordof compassion!DispelmyignorancesoonandtakemebacktoYourlotusfeet.’LordSivagrantedthis wish.

TherewasanothercauseforSundarar’shumanbirth.Toanordinarymanitmayappearthat Sundararwasavictimtolust,eveninthedivinerealmofKailasa.Itwasnotso.Sundararwasonly aninstrumentinthehandsofGod.ItwasLordSiva’swishthatSundararshouldsing TiruThonda Thogai forthebenefitofmankind.So,LordSivaenteredhismindandcreatedadesireforthesetwo girls.Also,theLordwantedtoteachmankindagreatlesson.Lustisextremelypowerful.Itcan deludeevenagreatdevoteeoftheLordlikeSundarar,ifheisnotevervigilant.Maya’scharmsare powerful.Unlessthisevilqualityisburnt,theJivacannotreachSiva.Yetanotherlesson.The

lustfuleyewasthecauseofSundarar’sdownfall.But,whenitisusedintheserviceoftheLord(for lookingattheholyshrines,holyimagesofGod,saints,andstudyofscriptures)theverysameorgan willhelptowardsouremancipation.

Sundararwas,therefore,bornasArurar.Thekingofthatplace,NarasingaMunaiyar, happenedtoseethebeautifulchild.Helikedhim.Hewantedtobringhimuphimselfandaskedfor theparents’permission,Sadaiyanar,whosemindwasfullofdispassionandwhowasnotattached toanythinginthisworld,immediatelycompliedwiththeking’swish.Asweshallseelater,heand hisdevoutwifearealsoregardedasNayanars.

Theboygrewupunderroyalcare.Attheproperage,theparentswantedtogettheirson married.SadaiyanarsoughtSandakaviSivachariar’sconsenttoobtainhisdaughter’shandforhis son,Arurar.Sivachariargladlyagreed.But,theweddingwasnottotakeplace.

Justwhentheceremonywastobegin,anoldBrahmin,withsacredashesonhisbody, Rudrakshaaroundhisneckandmattedlocksonhisheadappearedandsaid:‘Thisman,Arurar,is mybond-slave.Ihaveadocumenttothateffectexecutedbyhisgrandfather.Hecannotmarry.’ Thisputanendtotheceremony.SundararandtheBrahminlefttheplace.Theyoungbridefixedher mindontheholyfeetofSundarar,shedhermortalcoilandattainedtheimmortalabodeofLord Siva.

Sundararandtheoldmanhadaheatedargument.Sundararaskedhim:‘Whoareyouand fromwherehaveyoucome?’TowhichtheBrahminreplied:‘IbelongtoTiruvennaiNellur.’ Sundararcalledhimaliarandsaid:‘Come,letusgotoTiruvennaiNellurandgetthisdispute settledbythewisementhere.’

AtTiruvennaiNellur,beforeanassemblyofwisementheoldBrahminproducedthe documentwhichreadasfollows:

I,Aruran,theAdiSaiviteofTirunavalur,executethisbondofslaverywithheartandsoul.I andmyprogenyforalltimetocomearebond-slavestoPithanofTiruvennaiNellur,andweare boundtoservehimbyallmeans.

Pithan meansLordSivawhodelightstobecalleda‘madman’,toexemplifythestateofthe highestYogiwhosebehaviourresemblesthatofamadmanbutwhoteachesusthatthereisnothing inthisworldworthtakinganynoticeofandtheworldly‘wisemen’areallmadpeopleintruth.

Afterexaminingthewitnessescitedinthedocumentandverifyingthegrandfather’s signature,theassemblyconfirmedtheoldman’sclaim.SundararhadtoacceptitasGod’swill. FollowedbyallofthemtheBrahminenteredthetempleofTiruArulTuraionthepretextof showingthemhishouse,andpromptlyvanished.ArurarunderstoodthatitwastheLordHimself whohadappearedastheoldmantosavehimfromtheshacklesofSamsara.Hewasafflictedvery muchatheartthathehadnotrecognisedHimearlier.Hecriedaloud.TheLordappearedbeforehim andblessedhim:‘Ohnoblesoul.YouarealreadyMyBhakta.YouwereinMyAbodeinKailasa beforethisbirthasaman.Awrongthoughtmadeyoutakethisbirth.NowIhaveMyselfcometo saveyou.’

BecauseSundararhadquarrelledwithHim,theLordHimselfcalledhim Vanthondan (the devoteewhousedharshwords)andaskedhimtosingHisglories.‘Myclearchild,youcalledMe Pithan (madman)duringyourquarrel.So,beginwiththiswordandcomposeapoem.’Sundarardid so:theresultwasthatinspiringpoem PithaPiraiSoodi. TheLordHimselfcametobeknownas TaduthatkondaIswar (theLordpreventedandsavedhimfromSamsara).

SundararlatervisitedanumberofholyplacesandsangthepraiseoftheLordinallofthem. HecametoAdigaiVirattanam,thesacredplacewhereApparservedtheLordViratteswararand wasblessed.Sundarardidnotliketoplacehisfootonthesacredgroundandsostayedonthe outskirtsofthevillage.

ThatnightwhenSundararwasasleep,theLordintheguiseofanoldmanenteredtheMutt. HelaydownclosetowhereSundararwassleepingandpretendedtosleep.HethenplacedHisfeet ontheheadofSundarar.WhenSundararobjectedtothis,theoldmanapologised.Sundararwent overtoanothercorneroftheroom.There,too,theoldmanrepeatedthesameaction.Sundarardid notlosehistemper.Hecalmlyaskedhimforhisidentityandexplanationfortheabnormal behaviour.‘Ohfriend,don’tyouknowme?’askedtheLordanddisappeared.Sundararrealisedthat itwasagaintheLordHimself.SincehehadnotgoneintotheplaceforHisDarshan,theLord Himselfhadcomeouttowherethedevoteewas!Sundararprayed:‘OhLord!Howkindand mercifulYouare!EvendevoteeswhoarewellversedinVedasandAgamascannottouchYourfeet. Outoflovetowardsthispoorcreature,YouleftYourabodeandcameheretoblessmewithYour HolyFeet.’

Sundararagaincontinuedhispilgrimage.AtTillai(Chidambaram),hewentintoatrance evenashesawthetempletower.Inhisecstasyherolledonthegroundandshedprofusetearsof love.HehadtheDarshanofLordNataraja.AheavenlyvoicecommandedhimtogotoTiruvarur.

HethenvisitedmanyothershrinesandcametoTiruvarur.TheLordappearedtothe BrahminsofTiruvarurandaskedthemtoreceiveSundararwithduehonours.Theydidso.As SundararwasworshippingtheLordinthetemple,heheardaheavenlyvoice:‘Sundarar!Ihave madeyouMyfriend.Ipreventedyoufromgettingmarried.Hereafteryouwillappearforeverasa bridegroomandsportonearth.’Immediately,Sundararbecameahandsomebridegroom.People calledhim TambiranThozhar (friendofGod).

InTiruvarur,therewasachastewomanbynameParavayarwhowasnoneotherthan Kamalini,theattendantofParvathiinKailasa.Dailyshewouldgotothetempleandworshipthe LordwithfaithanddevotionandsingHisglories.Oneday,shecametothetemple,asusual,with herfriends,toworshiptheLord.Atthesametime,Sundarar,withhisdevoteesenteredthetemple. PromptedbypastKarma,SundararwasattractedbyParavayar’sbeauty.Hewantedtomarryher, andenteredtheshrineoftheLordwiththisthought.TheLordwashisfriend,andso,heexpressed hisdesiretoHim!

ParavayarwhohadseenSundararinthetemplealsofellinlovewithhimandwantedto marryhim.

Themarriagewaspre-ordainedbyLordSivaHimselfanditwasnowHisdutytobringit about.Heappearedtobothofthemintheirdreamsandtoldthemthattheywouldgetmarried.He alsocommandedHisdevoteesindreamtoarrangefortheweddingofParavayarandSundararthe verynextday.Thiswasdoneaccordingly,tothejoyofbothParavayarandSundarar.

Oneday,ArurarwentintothetempleandfoundanumberofdevoteesoftheLordthere.He wantedtosingtheirglories.TheLordHimselfsangthefirstlineofthefamouspoem Tiruthonda Thogai andbyHisgrace,Sundararcompletedit.

DuringhisstayatTiruvarur,aVellalabynameKundaiyurKizharwhowasveryhighly devotedtohim,wasregularlysupplyingParavayarwithenoughgrainsandgroceriesforthe maintenanceofSundararandthedevotees.Suddenlytherewasfamineinthedistrictandpeople sufferedforwantoffood.KundaiyurKizharwasalsoaffected.Hewasafflictedatheartbecausehe couldnotsupplytheneedsofSundarar.LordSivaappearedinhisdreamandpromisedenough grain!Kubera,theGodofwealth,didtheneedful,ascommandedbytheLord.Thenextmorning, KundaiyurKizharfoundhugeheapsofgrain.AtthesametimetheLordappearedbeforeSundarar andinformedhimoftheincident.AtonceSundararleftforKundaiyurtomeetKizhar.Theymet half-way.SundararsawtheheapsofgrainatKundaiyurandknewthatitwasHisLila.Hewenttoa nearbyKoiliandsangthepraiseoftheLord,andentreatedHimtohavethegrainremovedto Tiruvarur.Acelestialvoiceimmediatelyassuredhimofthis.SundararreturnedtoTiruvarurand informedParavayarofallthathappened.ThatnighttheBhutaGanas,theservantsofLordSiva, removedtheheapsofgrainandfilledtheentiretownofTiruvarurwithit!Paravayaroffered repeatedprostrationstotheLordandsangHisglory.Sheaskedthepeopletotakethegrainto appeasetheirhunger.Thusthefaminecametoanend.AllthepeopleglorifiedtheLordand Paravayar.

KotpuliNayanarofTirunattiyattankudi,theCommander-in-chiefofaCholaKing,andan ardentdevoteeofLordSivacametoSundararandentreatedhimtogracehishousewithhis presence.Sundararagreedtothisandwent.AfterworshippingSundarar,KotpuliNayanar prostratedhimselfatSundarar’sfeetalongwithhistwodaughters,SingadiyarandVanappahaiyar, andpleadedthatSundararshouldmarrythetwodaughters.Sundarar,however,placedthemonhis lapandfondledthem,treatingthemashisowndaughters.ThenSundararwenttothetempleand sanginpraiseoftheLord,asonginwhichhecalledhimself Singadiappan, sincehetook Singadiyarashisdaughter.

SundararthenreturnedtoTiruvarur.ItwasParavayar’scustomtodistributeplentyof moneyandotherarticlesincharityonPanguniUttaram,afestivalday.Sundararwentto TirupugalurandprayedtotheLordtogivehimgoldforthesakeofParavayar.Thatnightheslept therewithafewbricksashispillow.Thenextmorning,hewokeuptofindthatallthebrickshad beenconvertedintogold.SundararwassurprisedatthismiracleofLordSivaandsangHisglory andreturnedtoTiruvarur.OnthewayhehadavisionoftheLordatTiruPanaiyur.

AftervisitingmanyholyplacesagainandsinginghymnsinpraiseoftheLord,Sundarar cametoTiruPachilasramam.ThereheworshippedtheLordandaskedforagoldcoin.Hedidnot getitimmediately.HesangaPadigam(song)andtheLordatoncegavehimaheapofgold.The LordwassofondofhearingSundararsing.

Then,SundararleftforVridhachalam,visitinganumberofholyplacesontheway.Hehad omittedTiruKoodalaiyarrur.So,theLordcametohimasaBrahminofwhomSundararenquired thewaytoVridhachalam.TheBrahminledthewayuptoacertaindistance,andthensuddenly disappeared.ItwasclosetoTiruKoodalaiyarrurwhichSundararnowvisitedandsangasongin praiseoftheLordthere.

ThenSundararcametoVridhachalam.HeworshippedtheLord,andsangaPadigam expressinghisdesireforgoldcoins.TheLordgavehim12,000piecesofgold.Sundararprayedto theLordtoremovethesegoldpiecestoTiruvarur.TheLordaskedhimtothrowthemintotheriver ManimuktaandtoreceivethembackatTiruvarur.Sundarardidso, keepingapiecefor identification.OnreturntoTiruvarur,SundararandParavayarwenttothetanktogetbackthegold pieces.Sundarardivedintotheeasternsideofthetankandsearchedforthegold,asthoughhehad putthemthere.Hecouldnotfindthem.Sorelyafflictedatheart,hesangasong.Thatwaswhatthe Lordwanted.Sundarargotthegold.Allwereamazed.But,onidentification,itwasfoundthatthe goldwasinferiorinvaluetothepiecethatSundararhadkeptbackwithhim.Hesangasong:andthe Lordrestoredtothemtheiroriginalvalue.SofondwasHeofhearingSundararsingasong.

Sundararwentoutonanotherpilgrimageagain.Ontheway,hewasafflictedwithhunger andthirst.TheLordWhoistheIndwellerofourhearts,erectedawater-shedandwaswaitingfor SundararthereintheguiseofaBrahmin.Sundararandthedevoteesenteredtheshed,singingthe Panchakshara.TheBrahminofferedhimfoodandwaterandaskedhimtorestawhile.Allofthem appeasedtheirhunger,butthequantityofthefoodremainedthesame.Whentheywereresting, afterfood,theLorddisappeared.TheyknewthatitwasnoneotherthantheLordHimself.Sundarar sangasongalludingtothisincident.

Onanotheroccasion,soonafterthis,whileonavisittoTirukachur,Sundararwenttothe temple,worshippedtheLordandwasrestingoutsidethetemple,feelinghungry.TheLord understoodit:andso,intheguiseofaBrahmincametoSundararandsaid:‘Itappearsthatyouare hungry.Pleasewaithere.Iwillgiveyoufood.’TheLordatoncewentoutinthescorchingsun, beggedfromeachandeveryhouse,andofferedthefoodsoobtained,toSundarar.AsSundararand thedevoteeswereeating,theBrahmindisappeared:andtheyunderstoodthatitwastheLord Himself.Sundararsangasongalludingtothisincident,revealingtheLord’ssuprememercy.

Lateron,hewenttoTiruvotriyurandstayedthereforsometime,worshippingtheLord there.Aninditiyar,theothermaid-servantofParvathiinKailasa,whohadalsotakenahumanbirth, wasnowSangilyarinJnayiruinThondaiNadu.HerfatherwasJnayiruKizhar,aVellalabycaste. HewasalsoastaunchdevoteeofLordSiva.SangiliyarwasdevotedtoParvatifromhervery childhood.Onceherparentsmentionedthatsheshouldgetmarried,buttheveryword‘marriage’ madeherfaint.Later,arespectableVellalawantedtomarryher.Hesentsomepeopletoapproach thegirl’sfather.JnayiruKizhardidnotlikeeventospeaktohisdaughteraboutit.Hesentthem awaywithanevasivereply.Soonafter,theboywhowantedtomarrySangiliyar,andthepartythat wenttonegotiate,—allofthemdied.WhenJnayiruKizharheardthis,heunderstoodthegreatness ofhisdaughter.HetookhertoTiruvotriyurandbuiltasmallAshramforherthere.

ItwaspartofSangiliyar’sSadhanatomakegarlandsfortheLordinthetemple.She regularlyvisitedthetempleandworshippedtheLord.OnedaySundararandthedevoteeswentto

thetemple.Aftertheworship,theycametotheplacewheresomedevoteesweremakinggarlands fortheLord.Sangiliyarwasalsothere.Sundararwasattractedbyherbeauty,duetopast Samskaras.Hewantedtomarryher,andexpressedthiswishtotheLord.TheLordpromisedto fulfilhiswish.

TheLordappearedinSangiliyar’sdreamandsaid:‘Ohnoblesoul,Iamhighlypleasedwith yourdevotion.NowItellthisforyourowngood.Sundararwantstomarryyou.HeisMyfriend.He askedMetoarrangethemarriage.So,marryhim.Youwillbehappy.’Sangiliyarprostratedbefore theLordandsaid:‘OhLord,IwillobeyYourcommandandmarryhim.But,hemaydesertme sinceheisalreadymarried.’TheLordaskedhertogetapromisefromSundararthathewouldnot partfromherunderanycircumstance.

ThentheLordappearedbeforeSundararandsaidthatSangiliyarhadagreedtomarryhim onconditionthathewouldnotpartfromher.Sundararsaid:‘OhLord,howcanIagreetothis conditionsinceIamconstantlymovingaboutvisitingmanyholyshrines?But,ifYousodesire, thenassuremethatYouwillwithdrawYourpresencefromtheLingaminthetempleandwilltake Yourabodeinthenearbytree,whenItaketheoathbeforeYourimage.’TheLordgrantedhimthis wishanddisappeared.

HeagainappearedbeforeSangiliyarandsaid:‘Ohnoblesoul,Sundararhasagreedtoyour condition.But,askhimtomakethispromise,notbeforetheLingaminthetemple,butinfrontofthe nearbytree.’

ThenextmorningSangiliyarcametothetemple.Sundararwaswaitingthereforher. Sangiliyar’sfriendstoldhimthatshewishedthepromisetobegiveninfrontofthenearbytree.He wastakenaback,butacceptedtheproposal.Thepromisewasgiven.Themarriagewasimmediately solemnised.

InTiruvarur,VasantaUtsavamwasbeingcelebratedonagrandscale.Sundarar rememberedthefestivalandlongedtogothere.HealsorecollectedthatParavayarwouldsingand dancethereinfrontoftheLord.Atthesametime,hecouldnotpartfromSangiliyar.Foralong time,hestruggledbetweenthetwoconflictingduties.Finally,hedecidedtoleave.

WhenhecrossedtheborderofTiruvotriyur,hesuddenlylosthiseye-sightandfelldownon theground.TheLordisimpartial.NonecanescapetheoperationoftheLawofDivineJustice. Sundararslowlyregainedhisconsciousness.Immediatelyherealisedhisfaultandprayedtothe Lordforforgiveness,askingforthegrantoftheeye-sight.‘OhLord,ItakecompleterefugeinYou. IalwaysrepeatYourName.EvenwhenIfelldownlosingmyeye-sight,IrememberedYouonly. OhLordofMercy,evenifIcommitacrime,isitnotYourdutytoforgiveme?OhLordof Compassion,saveme.’Inspiteoftheblindness,however,histhirstfortheDarshanoftheLordat Tiruvarurdidnotabate.WiththehelpofsomepeopleonthewayhecametoTiruMullaivayil. Here,again,heprayedtotheLordtogivehimeye-sight.AtTiruvembakkamheagainprayedtothe Lordinasimilarstrain.Inthetemple,heprayedandasked:‘OhLordWhoacceptedmeintoHis fold,prostrationsuntoThee.OhLordWhocleverlyplayedatrickonme,areYouinsidethe temple?’TheLordgaveasternreply:‘Iamhere;youcango.’andgavehimablind-man’sstick. ThisattitudeofindifferenceonthepartoftheLordpainedSundararandhepleadedformercy.‘Oh

LordofMercy,haveInottakenYouasmysolerefugeandsupport?Icommittedamistakethinking thatYouwillpardonme.Youareevenindifferenttopubliccriticism.WilltheynotaccuseYoufor turningadeafeartoadevoteewhoissincerelyweepingatYourfeet,acceptinghisfaultandcraving forpardon?OhLord,canYounotunderstandsuffering?Likealovingchildthathasbeenseparated fromitsmotherforalongtimeandwantstohugher,IhavecometoYou:but,instead,Youtreatme likeastranger.OhLord,Youdeceivedme,whoaskedYoutoremainforawhilenearthetree,by cleverlyinformingSangiliyarofthesameandaskinghertogetthepromisefrommenearthetree. OhLord,YougavemeSangiliyarandallthepleasures.But,nowYougivemetheblind-man’sstaff andsay‘Youcango’.OhLord,amIunfittoreceiveYourmercy?Pardonmeandrelievemeofmy sufferings.’

Then,completelyresigninghimselftoGod,SundararcametoConjeevaram,aftervisiting manyholyplacesontheway.HeworshippedMotherKamakshiandexpressedhissufferingstoher andpleadedtohertorelievehimofhissufferings.SundararthenworshippedLord Ekambareswarar.MotherWhoisseatedonHisleftside,hadalreadybeenmovedbySundarar’s prayersandwantedtoshowerHergraceonhim.LordSivaunderstoodthis.Heatoncerestored visiontoSundarar’slefteye.Inecstasyherolledontheground,sheddingprofusetearsoflove.

Afterspendingsomedaysthere,singingthegloriesoftheLord,Sundararproceededtogoto Tiruvarur.AtTiruvavaduthurai,heagainprayedtotheLordtoforgivehimandrestoresighttothe othereye,too.SundararthencametoThiruthurithi.TheLordaskedhimtotakeadipinthenorthern tankthere.Sundarardidso,andcameoutofit.Tothesurpriseofall,hisbodyhadbecomeasbright aspolishedgold.Peoplewereamazedatthischange.Sundararwentintothetempleandprayed.

SundararreachedtheoutskirtsofTiruvarur.Hegrievedthat,duetohispartialsight,he couldnotgetacompleteDarshanoftheLord.Theverysightofthetempletowerentrancedhim. SundararwantedtofeastbothhiseyesonthebeautyoftheLordandsoprayedtoHimtorestore visiontohisothereyealso.Sundarar’ssupremedevotionandlamentationmovedtheLord’sheart. Heatoncecuredtheothereyealso.Sundararwasextremelyhappy.HeworshippedtheLordand remainedcompletelyabsorbedindivinebliss.

Inthemeantime,peoplewhomParavayarhadsenttogreetSundararandinformhimofher eagernesstomeethim,foundoutthathehadmarriedSangiliyar.Theywentbackandtold Paravayaraboutthis.Paravayarwassunkingrief.Shewasannoyed,too.Paravayar’speople refusedtoallowSundarar’sdevoteestoenterthehouse.WhenSundararheardofthis,hewas afflictedatheart.HesentsomeelderlydevoteestoParavayar,tobringaboutareunion.Theyfailed. Atmidnightwhenallthedevoteeswereasleep,heprayedtotheLordforHishelpinpacifying Paravayar.TheLordappearedbeforehimandassuredhimofHishelp.TheLorddisguisedHimself asSundarar’smessenger,aBrahminpriest,andwenttoParavayar’shouse.TheBrahminpleaded Sundarar’scauseandaskedhertoaccepthimback.Sherefused,thoughsheherselfwas grief-strickenattheseparationfromSundarar.Herannoyanceathissecondmarriagewassogreat!

TheLordcoollyreturnedtoSundarar,whowasanxiouslyawaitingHisreturn.WhentheLord informedSundararofallthathadhappened,Sundararfelldownontheground,ingrief.‘IfYoudo nothelpme,OhLord,Iwillgiveupmylife.’TheLordseeingSundarar’spitiablecondition, assuredhimofhelpandagainsetouttogotoParavayar’shouse.

Inthemeantime,thedevoutParavayarhadunderstoodthattheBrahminwasnootherthan theLordHimselfandwassufferingfromterribleanguishfornotrecognisingHim.TheLordagain wenttoherhouse:andthistimeHeappearedbeforeherinHisrealform.Paravayaratonce prostratedbeforeHim.TheLordsaid:‘OParavayar,IhaveagainbeensentbySundarartopleadhis case.Donotrefusethistime.Heisundergoingterribleagonyonaccountofseparationfromyou. Accepthimandallowhimtocometoyourhouse.’ParavayarprostratedtotheLordagain,with foldedpalmsandsaid:‘OhLord,firstYoucameintheguiseofaBrahminbutIdidnotrecognise You.AgainYouhavecomeandhaveshownmeYourrealform.OhLord,howkindYouare!You havegracedmyhutandshoweredYourgraceonme.Youhavetakensomuchtroublethis midnight,forthesakeofYourfriend.HowcanIgoagainstYourwish?IwillacceptandobeyYour command.’TheLordwasimmenselypleasedwithher.HeblessedherandreturnedtoSundarar. TheLordinformedhimthathehadpacifiedParavayarandthathecouldnowreturntoher.Hethen disappeared.SundararwasoverwhelmedwithjoyandsangtheLord’sglories.

Inthemeantime,Paravayarhaddecoratedherhousebeautifullyandwaseagerlywaiting forherLord.Sundarar,withhisdevotees,enteredthehouse.Paravayarfellathisfeet.Thusthey werere-unitedafteralongseparation.

Yet,thiswasnotall.ThenewsthatSundararhadsentLordSivaHimselfashismessenger, hadreachedtheearsofEyarkonKalikamaNayanarofTiruPerumangalaminPonniNadu.Hewasa greatdevoteeofLordSiva.HewasterriblyangrywithSundararfortreatingtheLordasa messengertosettleadomesticquarrel.How,inawonderfulandmysteriousmannerLordSiva bringsaboutareconciliationbetweenthetwoNayanars,bothofthemgreatlydevotedtoHim,we shallsee,whenwedescribethelifeofKalikamaNayanar.

EquallyinterestingisthewayinwhichtheLordunitesinfriendshipSundararand CheramanPerumalNayanar,anotherroyaldevoteeoftheLord.Weshalldescribeitindetailwhen wecometothelifeofCheramanPerumalNayanar.

When,alongwithCheramanPerumal,SundararwasproceedingtoMadurai,theyarrivedat Tirunagaikkoronam.HereSundararsangasonginwhichheaskedtheLordtogivehimapearl garland,preciousstones,musk,spectacles,fragrance,clothes,jewelry,one-thirdofthewealthof Tiruvarur,horseswhichranasfastasthewind,goldenflowers,palanquin,etc.Howwonderfulis therelationbetweenthedevoteeandtheLord!SundararregardedGodashisfriend,becauseGod Himselfhadwantedittobeso.HeadoptedtowardsGodtheSakhyaBhava(attitudeofadear friend).

InthecompanyofCheramanPerumal,Sundararwentonseveralpilgrimages,andmet manyofthekingsofSouthIndia.Once,whentheywereatTiruKandiyur,theysawTiruvaiyaron theoppositebankoftheriver.Cheramandesiredtovisitthatplacealso.Theriverwasinflood,and itwasimpossibletocrossit.SundararsincerelyprayedtotheLordtohelpthem.Hesangoneofhis songswhicheasilypleasedtheLord.Atoncetherivergaveway,leavingasandytractthrough whichtheycouldwalkacrosstotheotherbank.Assoonastheyreachedtheotherbank,theriver resumeditsformerform.TheyweredelightedatthismiracleoftheLord.Eventhefiveelementsare everreadytoservethedevoteesoftheLord,atHiscommand.

CheramanthentookSundarartohisownplace,withgreathonourandpomp.Sundarar stayedwithCheramanforsometime.HesuddenlyrememberedtheLordofTiruvarurandwanted togothere.Cheramancouldnotaccompanyhimandwasthereforegrief-stricken.Sundarar consoledhimandaskedhimtostaybehindandrulethecountrywiselyandjustly.Cheraman prostratedhimselfbeforehimandgavehimrichpresents.Hesenthisownpeopletocarrythese presents,andtoaccompanySundarar.ItwastheLord’swishthatSundararshouldreceivegiftsonly fromHim!Howcould His friendreceivefromothers?Hence,HedesiredtodepriveSundararof whatCheramanhadgivenhim.WhenSundararandhisretinuewerepassingthrough Tirumuruganpondi,theLordsentHisServantstorobSundararofalltherichesthathehadreceived fromCheraman.TheLord’sServantsdisguisedthemselvesashuntersandattackedthepartythat wascarryingthepresents.Thepartydroppedallandfled.TheywenttoSundararandreportedto himwhathadhappened.SundararwenttothelocaltempleandsangaPadigam.Hecameoutofthe templeandtohissurprisehesawthereallthattheyhadbeenrobbedof.Now,itwasagiftfromthe LordHimself,andsoSundarar,God’sfriend,couldhaveit.WonderfularetheLilasoftheLord.

Aftersometime,SundararagaindesiredtoseeCheramanPerumal.Onthewayto Kundakolur,hewenttoTiruPukkoliyurAvinasi.Asheenteredthisplace,heheardsimultaneously auspiciousaswellwailingsoundsemergingfromdifferenthouses.

Onenquiry,helearnthowtwoBrahminboysofthesameage,fromthesetwohouseswent totankforabath;andhowoneofthemwascaughtbyacrocodile,andtheotherescaped, providentially.Thelatterwasbeinginvestedwiththesacredthreadthatday,andhencethe auspicioussoundfromthathouse.Thepeopleinthedeceasedboy’shousewerebemoaningtheloss oftheboy,soreatthefeelingthat,hadhebeenalive,hewouldalsobecelebratingthesacredthread ceremonythatday.Sundararwantedtoconsolethebereavedfamily.Ashestoodinfrontofthe house,thepeoplestoppedwailingandcameouttoreceiveSundarar.Theywereeagerforalong timetogethisDarshan,andso,forgettingtheirsorrow,theycametowelcomehim.Theirdevotion movedSundarar’sheart.HewaspromptedbytheLordtobringthedeadboybacktolife.So,he wenttothesametankandsangasongontheLordofAvinasitogivethechildbacktotheparents. TheCreator,pleasedwithSundarar,enteredthestomachofthecrocodileandre-constitutedthe bodyoftheboy,thoughithadalreadybeendigested.LordYama,too,forhispart,releasedfromhis custody,thelifehehadonceremovedandthecrocodilevomittedtheboy!Tothewonderofall,the boywasmuchmorehandsomethanwhenhemetwiththeaccident,andheshowedsignsofgrowth, appropriatetothelapseoftime.AllwereamazedatthismiracleofSundarar.Theparentsoftheboy wereimmenselypleasedandembracedSundarar’sfeet.Sundarartooktheboytothetempleand worshippedLordAvinasiappar.Hehimselfperformedthesacredthreadceremonyforhim.

AtKodunkolur,Cheraman,whohadalreadycometoknowofthecrocodilemiracle, receivedSundararwithstillgreaterloveandvenerationthanbefore.Sundararstayedwiththeking forsometime.OnedaySundararvisitedthetemplealoneandworshippedtheLord.Theverysight oftheLordsenthimintotrance.HerolledonthegroundsheddingtearsofGod-love.Thehairson hisbodystoodonendandhismindwasfilledwithrapture.Heregainedconsciousnessafteralong time.HewastiredofworldlyexistenceandsorequestedtheLordtotakehimbacktoKailasa.He sangaPadigam.

TheLord,desiringtotakeSundararbacktoHisAbode,commandedthecelestialstobring himtoKailasaonawhiteelephant.HealsoinformedSundararofthis.Sundararcameoutofthe temple.Thewhiteelephantwaswaitingforhimthere.HementallywishedtotakeCheraman PerumalalsowithhimtoKailasa.ThenheclimbedtheelephantandproceededtowardsKailasa.

InaPadigamhesangonthisoccasion,Sundararhimselfrevealsthatthisdeparturefor Kailasawasnotinhisphysicalbody,butinhisspiritualbody.Thephysicalbodywasdiscarded hereinthisworlditself,andtheelementsofwhichitwascomposedwerereturnedtotheirsources.

CheramanlearntbyintuitionofSundarar’sdepartureforKailasa.Atonce,hemounteda horseandcametoTiruAnchaikalam.TherehesawSundarargoingalongtheskyonthecelestial elephant.AtonceCheramanpronouncedthePanchaksharaintheearsofthehorse.Thehorseflew upandreachedSundarar.CheramanworshippedSundararthere.BothofthemwenttoKailasain theirspiritualbody.

AttheGateofKailasa,Sundararwasallowedtoenter,whileCheramanwasnot.Sundarar wentintoHispresenceandpraisedHismercy:‘OhOceanofMercy,Youhavepardonedmysins andreleasedmefromthequagmireofSamsara.YouhavetakenmebackintoYourfold,and bestowedonmetheImmortalBliss.HowkindandmercifulYouare!’HetheninformedtheLord thatCheramanwasoutsidetheGate.TopleaseHisfriend,LordSivasentHisMount, NandikesvarartobringCheramanalsoin.TheLordaskedCheramanhowhecouldcometoKailasa withoutHispermission.CheramanrepliedthatwhenhesawSundararproceedingtoKailasa,he couldnotbearseparationfromhimandsoaccompaniedhim.Now,bythegoodofficesofSundarar whichearnedforhimtheLord’sgracehehadbeenadmittedintotheLord’sAbode.Inthesewords, Cheramanexpressedaverygreattruth:thatevenifthedevoteeisundeserving,ifheisdevotedtoa saint(theGuru),hewillalsogainaplaceinthekingdomofGod,throughtheintercessionofthe Guru.

Sundarar,asbefore,engagedhimselfinHisservicewithallhisheartandsoul.Paravayar andSangiliyar,beingpurgedoftheirKarmas,alsoreachedKailasa.Theyresumedtheiroriginal dutyastheservantsofMotherParvathi.

2.TIRUNEELAKANTANAYANAR

InChidambaram,thereoncelivedanardentdevoteeofLordSiva.Hewasapotterbycaste andprofession.HehadthehighestregardforthedevoteesofLordSiva,too.Hewasevereagerto servethem.Hewasleadinganidealhouseholdlife.Hemadebeautifulbeggingbowlsofclayand offeredthemfreetothedevoteesofLordSiva,withgreatjoy.

Siva,inHisaspectofNeelakantawashissolerefugeandprop.Hence,hewascalledTiru NeelakantaNayanar.Hewouldalwaystellothershow,fortheprotectionoftheworldtheLord drankthevirulentpoison,andhewouldassurehisfriendsthattheywhotookrefugeunderHisfeet wouldbepurgedofallsinsandwouldfinallybetakentoHisAbode.

Inspiteofhisvirtuousqualities,oncehefellavictimtolust.Oneday,hevisitedthehouseof aprostitute.Whenhereturnedhome,hisdutifulandpiouswifeunderstoodthis.Thisirritatedher,

thoughshedidnotshowthisandcontinuedtoservehim,asbefore.But,shehaddecidednottohave anysexualrelationwithhim.Nayanarcouldnotunderstandthereason.Oneday,asheapproached herwithpassion,shetookanoathandsaid:‘InthenameofNeelakanta,Iaskyou:donottouchus.’ Thoughsheonlymeantherself,shehadusedtheword us. SinceshetooktheNameoftheLordand sinceshehadusedtheword us, NeelakantaNayanardecidedthatfromthatdayhewouldnottouch anywomanintheworld.SuchwashissinceredevotiontotheLord.Theycontinuedtolivetogether. Theydidnotwanttomakeafussovertheirownresolve.Nooneknewaboutit.Yearsrolledbyand theyhadgrownold.

LordSivawantedtorevealthegreatnessofHisdevoteeandthustoimmortalisehisname. So,intheguiseofaSivaYogi(aSaivitemendicant)theLordcametoTiruNeelakantar’shouse. Neelakantarwelcomedhimandworshippedhim.TheYogigavehimabeggingbowlandsaid:‘Oh noblesoul,kindlykeepthisinyoursafecustody,tillIcomebackforit.Tomeitisextremely precious.Ithasthewonderfulpropertyofpurifyinganythingthatcomesintocontactwithit.So, pleaseprotectitwiththegreatestcare.’ThentheSivaYogilefttheplaceandNeelakantarkeptthe bowlinaverysafeplaceinthehouse.

Afteralongtime,LordSivacametothehouseofNeelakantar,asthesameSivaYogiand askedforthebowl.TheLordHimself,bythepowerofHisMaya,causedittodisappearfromthe house!Neelakantarsearchedforit,butcouldnotfindit.Itwasamysterytohim.Hewasashamedof himself.Tremblingwithfear,hefellattheYogi’sfeetandsaidthathecouldnotfindit.Atthis,the YogigotveryangryandaccusedNeelakantar,callinghimathiefandcheat.Neelakantarofferedto replacethebowlwithacostlierone;buttheYogiwouldnotaccept.

AgainandagainNeelakantarpleadedthathehadnotstolenthebowlandthatbyadivine mysteryitwasmissingfromthehouse.TheYogidemandedthatifthatwasthetruth,Neelakantar shouldsaysoonoath,holdinghiswife’shand.WhenNayanar,whohadresolved,inthenameofthe Lord,nottotouchanyone,declinedthis,theYogiattributedthisunwillingnesstothefactthat Neelakantarhadinfactbeenguiltyoftheft.Theywenttothecourt.TheBrahminsheardthecase. TheyaskedNeelakantartopromise,asdesiredbytheYogi.Neelakantargotintothetank,along withhiswife;theyhadastickintheirhand,andeachofthemwasholdingoneendofit.TheYogi objectedtothisandwantedthatNeelakantarshouldactuallyholdhiswife’shandwithhisown. Neelakantarcouldnothidethesecretrelationshipthatexistedbetweenhimandhiswifeanymore, andso,relatedthewholestorytothecourt.Afterthisnarration,Neelakantarandhiswifecaught holdofthetwoendsofthestickandtookadipinthetank.Amiraclehappened.Astheyemerged fromthewater,theyshonewithyouthandbeauty.TheSivaYogidisappearedfromtheirmidstand LordSivaandMotherParvathyappearedinthesky,blessingallofthem.TheLordsaid:‘Duetothe meritofhavinglivedalifeofself-controlanddevotion,youwillliveinMyEternalAbode,forever youthful.’TheLordthusrevealedthegloryofsupremedevotiontoHim(whichalonemadeit possibleforNeelakantartorefrainfromlustfulthoughtsoractions,afterhiswifehadsworninthe NameoftheLord)andalifeofcelibacywhichbestowseternalyouthfulnessonyou,andthe unostentatiousnessofasaint’svirtue.

3.IYARPAHAINAYANAR

‘Charity,freefromthemeanutterance Ihavenone isfoundonlyamongmenofgoodbirth’ saystheKural.AmongsuchnoblesoulsIyarpahaiNayanarrankedhigh.Charitywasingrainedin him.ItwashispracticetoinviteSivaBhaktastohishouse,worshipthemwithfaithanddevotion andgivethemalltheywanted.HehadtakenavownevertosaynotowhataSivaBhaktawanted.

IyarpahaiarwasanativeofKaveripoompattinam.HewasaVaisyabycaste.TohimSiva BhaktaswerethelivingmanifestationsofLordSiva.

LordSivawaspleasedwithHisdevotee.Hewantedtorevealhistruegreatnesstotheworld. So,theLord,inthedisguiseofaBrahmin,withsacredashessmearedalloverhisbody,cameto Nayanar’shouse.HewelcomedtheBrahminwithgreatjoy,astheverysightoftheholyman thrilledtheNayanar.TheBrahminsaid:‘Ohnoblesoul,youarefarfamedforyourcharitable nature.Learningthatnonereturnsempty-handedfromyourhouse,Ihavecometoyouforagift.I shalldiscloseittoyou,ifyoupromisetogivewhatIwant.’TheNayanaragreedreadily‘providedI haveitwithme.’TheBrahminatoncerevealedwhathewanted:‘Itisthegiftofyourwife.’ Nayanarhadnodifficultyatallingrantingthis!ThesupremedevoteeoftheLordthathewas,he didnotstooptodoubtthecredentialsoftheBrahminwho,thoughheappearedtobeaSivaBhakta, hadsuchanundesirabledesire:suchistheunquestioningnatureofdevotion.NorwouldNayanar hesitatetofulfiltheBhakta’swish,onthepleathatitinvolvedunrighteousness:for,tohimworship oftheguest(GuestisGod)wasgreaterLawthanallthemoralcodes.

Nayanarwentinsidethehouseandinformedhiswifeofallthathadhappened.Shewas shockedatfirst,butquicklyregainedhercomposure.Toachastewife,thehusbandisGod,and whateverhecommandsisLawandDharma.ShereadilyagreedtofollowtheBrahmin-guestashis wife.NayanarcameoutwithhiswifeandaskedtheBrahmintoacceptthegift.TheBrahmin, however,fearedthewrathofthewife’srelativesandaskedNayanartoaccompanythemtillthey weresafelyoutofthetownandoutofdanger.Nayanaragreedtodosoandarmedhimselftoprotect theBrahmin.Theythenproceededtogo.

InthemeantimetherelativesofNayanar’swifecametoknowofthewholestoryandwere furious.TheyfollowedtheNayanarandpartyandthreatenedtheBrahminwithdeath,unlesshe abandonedhisimpiousdesire.TheBrahminpretendedtobescared.Nayanar’swife,however, assuredhimthatNayanarwascapableofdefeatingthemall.Nayanarwasreadytofightthem.The relativesendeavouredtoconvinceNayanaroftheunrighteousnessofthewholething,and,when theyfoundthattheycouldnot,theypreferredtodieathishands,thansubmittotheshame.Nayanar atoncepounceduponthemandchoppedofftheirheads.AllofthemdiedandNayanar,happyatthe thought,thatthroughthegraceofLordSiva,hehadsucceededinkeepinghisvowofworshipping Hisdevotee,proceededfurtherwiththeBrahminandthewife.Whentheyreachedthetempleof Tiruchaikadu,theBrahminaskedNayanartoleavethemandreturn.Nayanarprostratedtothe Brahminandturnedhisstepshomeward.

Ashehadhardlyproceededafewyardsonhishomewardjourney,theBrahminagaincalled Nayanaraloud.Thinkingthattheremighthavebeenanotherattackontheparty,Nayanarhastened towheretheBrahminwas:but,tohisamazement,foundthathehaddisappearedandthathiswife

wasstandingalonethere.HesearchedhereandtherefortheBrahmin,andwasworriedwhenhe couldnotbefound.Loandbehold,LordSivaandMotherParvathyappearedintheskyandblessed Nayanarandhiswife:‘Ohnoblesouls,IamimmenselypleasedwithyourdevotiontoMyBhaktas. BothofyouwillverysoonreachMyAbode.’

Withthesewords,theLorddisappeared.TheNayanarandhiswifereachedHisAbodeand rejoicedthere.Nayanar’srelativeswhodiedathishandsalsoattainedthelotusfeetoftheLord.

ThushadtheLordprovedthenatureofsupremedevotion,whichdoesnotquestion.And, theLordalsorevealedthetruththatsuchunquestioningdevotiondoesnotresultintheviolationof theDharma.AllglorytotheLordandHisdevotees.

4.ILAYANKUDIMARANAYANAR

IlayankudiMaraNayanarwasafarmer.Maranarwashisname:helivedinavillagecalled Ilayankudi.HewasagreatdevoteeofLordSivaandHisdevotees.Hetookthegreatestpleasurein servingthem.ThisSadhanawasknownasMaaheswaraPuja(orworshipofthedevoteesof MahesvaraorLordSiva).Itisdescribedasfollows:

‘OnseeingadevoteeofLordSiva,withtheexternalmarksofVibhuti,Rudraksham,etc., takinghimasLordSivaHimself,welcominghim,prostratingbeforehim,washinghishandsand feet,drinkingthatwater(Charanamrit),givinghimaseat,worshippinghimwithflowers,Doopa, Deepa,andNaivedya,pleasinghimwithsweetwords,thankingtheLordfortheopportunity,and accompanyingtheguestforsomedistancewhilesendinghimaway—theseconstituteMaaheswara Puja.ThisisalsoincludedinChariyai(oneofthemainSaivitedisciplines).’

OfferingfoodtotheLord’sdevoteeshadpurifiedhisheartandmadehimafitreceptaclefor thegraceofGod.AsTiruvalluvarhassaidintheKural:

Fortunedwellswithadelightedheartin thehouseofthemanwhohonourshis guestwithapleasantcountenance.

Nayanarhadbeenblessedwithallthewealthoftheworld.But,heconsideredthatthe wealthbelongedtotheLord,tobeutilisedforthebenefitofHisdevotees.

LordSivawashighlypleasedwiththeNayanar’sdevotion.Hewantedtoshowtotheworld thatHisdevoteewouldbeundauntedbytheworstcalamityandwouldremainunshakeninhis virtue.Nayanar’swealthmeltedaway.Hiswealthhadlefthim,butnothisvirtue.Onthecontrary, hisdevotiontotheLordandHisdevoteesgrewmoreandmoreintense.Nayanarsoldallhis propertyandhadtosellevenhimselfinordertobeabletoservethedevoteesoftheLord.

Onedayitwasrainingheavily.Nayanarandhiswifewerestarving.Noonecameforwardto helpthem.Finally,heboltedthedoorandwasabouttofallasleep.Justthenheheardaknockatthe door,and,onopeningit,foundaSivaBhaktastandinginfrontofthehouse,drenchedwithrain.

Nayanaratoncetooktheguestinside,driedhisbodyandgavehimfreshclothestowear.‘Rest

awhile,Swami,whilewepreparesomefoodforyoutoappeaseyourhunger,’saidNayanarandtold hiswifeofhispredicament:therewasnothingtoofferthedevoteeoftheLord.But,thedevoutwife suggestedthatNayanarcouldgointothebackyardandcollectthegrain-seedsthattheyhadjust sownthatveryday.Nayanaracceptedthesuggestion.Onaccountoftheheavyrain,thegrainswere floatinganditwaseasytocollecttheminabasket.Assoonashebroughtthegrains,thewifefried andcrushedthem,andwiththehelpofsomegreensthatgrewintheirownbackyard,cookedanice dinnerfortheguest.

Nayanarwassupremelyhappy.And,ashewenttoawakentheguest,hediscoveredthathe haddisappeared.Atthesametime,Nayanarsawinsky,LordSivaWhohadcomeintheformofthe devoteeandMotherParvathyshoweringTheirblessingonhimandhiswife.TheLordsaid:‘Oh noblesouls,Iamhighlypleasedwithyourdevotion.YouwillsoonattainMyAbodeandlivethere forever.’

5.MAIPORULNAYANAR

MaiporulNayanarwasapiousking.HeruledoverthehilltribesofSethi.Hewaschivalrous andbrave.Hefoughtmanybattlesandwasalwaysvictorious.Therewaspeaceandplentyinhis kingdom.PeopleworshippedhimasthelivingGod.

HewaswellversedintheAgamas.HewasanardentdevoteeoftheLord.TohimSivaand Hisdevotees,adornedwithmattedlocks,Rudrakshamandsacredashesrepresentedtheonlytruth, AbsoluteTruth:andalltherestoftheworldwasstraw.HesaweverythingasSivamayam.Siva Bhaktasenjoyedabsolutefreedominhiscountry:theywerehonouredbythekingandthepeople alike.Thoughheruledthekingdomastheking,hismindwasalwaysattheLord’sFeet.Daily, specialprayersandfestivalswereconductedinthetemplesinhisrealm.

Nayanar’sfamesoonspreadfarandwide.ThisevokedthejealousyofMuthanathan,the kingoftheneighbouringstate.HecollectedabigarmyandattackedNayanarseveraltimes;buthe wasrepeatedlydefeated.So,Muthanathanresortedtofoul-play.Oneday,hedisguisedhimselfasa SivaYogi(forheknewthatNayanarhadsupremedevotiontoSivaBhaktas)andenteredthepalace atnight.Thegate-keepersdidnotquestionhim,butallowedhimtoproceed.Dathan,thefaithful andintelligentservantofNayanar,wasguardingthebedroominwhichthekingwassleeping. WhentheSivaYogiapproachedthebedroom,Dathantriedtodissuadehimfromdisturbingthe king’ssleep;buttheYogirefusedtolisten,saying:‘IhavesomesecretShastratoteachtheking.I cannotwait.’So,DathanhadtoallowtheYogitoenterthebedroomoftheking,thoughhewasa littlesuspicious.Nayanar’swifegotupand,findingaSivaYogiintheroom,quicklyawakenedher husband.TheSivaYogitoldthekingthattheShastrawasagreatsecret,revealedbytheLord Himself,andthatonlythekingwasentitledtohearit.Atoncethekingsenteventhequeenaway andprostratedbeforetheYogi,readytoreceivethesecret.Atthatmoment,theSivaYogi,whowas noneelsethanthejealouskingMuthanathan,quicklystabbedNayanaronhisback,withaknifehe hadkepthidden.Atthattime,theshrewdDathan,asheenteredtheroom,foundthekingonthe floorinapoolofbloodandMuthanathanwithaknifeinhishand.Hewasreadytostrikedown Muthanathan,whenthedyingNayanarsaid:‘Datha,heisourman.HehastheappearanceofaSiva Yogiandsomustbehonouredasone.Donotharmhim.Kindlyescorthimtothebordersofour kingdom,andseethatheisunharmed.’Dathanobeyedthecommandsofhismaster.Ashewas

escortingMuthanathan,thepeoplewhohadheardwhathappenedwenttoattackMuthanathan,but, assoonasDathantoldthemoftheking’scommands,theywithdrew,admiringthesupreme devotionoftheirking.Thus,Muthanathanwassafelyescortedoutofthekingdom.And,Dathan hastenedbacktothepalacetoconveythisnewstothedyingkingwhowaseagerlywaitingforit.

AssoonasDathanconveyedthenewstotheking,theNayanarcalledallhisMinistersand relativestohisbedside,andspoketothemasfollows:‘ItisourdutytoservetheBhaktas.Theymust behonouredandworshippedatalltimesandunderallcircumstances.Letourpeoplewalkinthe footstepsoftheSivaBhaktas.LetthecountrybefloodedwithSivaBhaktas.Bytheirblessings,let peaceandprosperityreigninourland.’Withthesewords,heclosedhiseyesandmeditatedonLord Siva.

LordSivaatonceappearedbeforehimandblessedhimasfollows:‘Iamimmensely pleasedwithyourdevotiontoMyBhaktas.Iamimmenselypleasedwithyourcosmicloveandyour unquestioningdevotiontoMydevotees.EveninamurdereryousawMe.Youare,therefore,fitto reachtheHighestAbodewhicheventheDevascannothopetoreach.YouwillsooncometoMy Abode.’WiththesewordstheLorddisappeared:andMaiporulNayanar(whoseverynamemeant ‘oneforwhomGodwasthesolereality’)alsoattainedHisAbode.

6.VIRALMINDANAYANAR

HewasastaunchdevoteeofLordSiva.ThroughHisgrace,hewasfreefrom‘I’-nessand ‘mine’-ness.Hehadequalvision.HeservedHisdevoteesandattainedpurityofmind.Tohim worshipofSivaBhaktaswasequal,ifnotevensuperiortotheworshipofLordSivaHimself.Hefelt thatnoonecouldgetSiva’sgracewithoutfirstworshippingSivaBhaktas,andthathewhoworships eventheSivaLingamwithallfaithanddevotion,wouldnotattainsalvationifheinsultsSiva Bhaktas.Dailyheusedtovisitthetemple.BeforeworshippingtheLord,heusedtoworshipthe SivaBhaktaswhomightbefoundthere.

HeleftSengunruonapilgrimageandcametoTiruvarur.Onedaywhenhewasworshipping theLord,SundaramurthiNayanarcametothetemple.Sundararby-passedtheBhaktaswhowerein templeandwentintothe sanctumsanctorum toworshiptheLord.ThisupsetViralmindar,whowas observingthis.HecouldnottoleratethisinsulttoHisBhaktas.HesaidtoSundarar:‘Youhave insultedtheSivaBhaktas.Bythisactyouhaverenderedyourselfunfittoremainintheholycircle ofSivaBhaktas.Hence,youareexcommunicatedfromthiscircle.’Headdedfurther:‘And,Siva, forhavingsothoughtlesslyacceptedsuchimproperworshipatyourhands,He,too,shallbe regardedasanoutcastefromthedivinefold.’Sofirmwasheinhisconvictionthathecouldthus ‘reprimand’GodHimself!Infact,itwasSivaHimselfWhospokethroughhimtoinstructHis BhaktasintheproperattitudetheyshouldhavetowardsHisBhaktas.

SundararimmediatelyunderstoodViralmindar’sinnerBhavtowardstheBhaktasaswellas towardsLordSiva,andprostratedbeforehim.HethensangaPadigampraisinghim.ThePadigam meltedViralmindar’sheartsomuchthathegreetedSundararandsaid:‘Yourmindiswell establishedintheserviceofSivaBhaktas.Youhavegotsinceredevotiontothem.’LordSivawas

ViralmindaNayanarwasborninSengunru,ahillyplace.HewasaVellalabycaste.

greatlypleasedwithViralmindar’sgreatsteadfastnessinhisdevotiontoSivaBhaktas.Thushadthe LordrevealedthegreatgloryoftheBhakta.HewasthenelevatedtotheblessedplaneoftheSiva GanaswheretheLordmadehimleaderoftheGanas.GlorytosuchBhaktas!

7.AMARANEEDINAYANAR

AmaraneediNayanarwasaVaisyabycaste.HebelongedtoPazhaiyaaraiintheChola Kingdom.Pazhaiyaaraiwasaveryfertileplace,surroundedonallsidesbygardensandgreen fields.Inthosedaysthisplacewasveryfamous.

AmaraneediNayanarwasatraderingold,diamonds,silksandcottongoods.Heusedto importthesegoodsfromforeigncountriesandwassellingthematreasonableprices.Heearned moneyhonestlyandbecamerich.Thoughhewasengagedinworldlyactivities,hismindwasfixed onLordSiva.HewasanardentSivaBhakta.HewouldinviteSivaBhaktastohishouseand worshipthem.HewouldgivetheKowpeenam,cloth,etc.,andfeedthemnicelyandsendthem awayhappy,withothergifts.

HeusedtovisitthesacredtempleofTirunallurduringfestivalsandworshipLordSivawith intensefaithandrepeatPanchaksharaMantradailywithBhava.Notbeingsatisfiedwiththisvisit duringfestivalsonly,hewantedtosettledownthereonceforall,alwaysenjoyingtheLord’s Darshan,andfeedingSivaBhaktas.SoheleftPazhaiyaaraiandmigratedwithhisfamilyand relatives,toTirunallur.HebuiltabeautifulMutttheretoaccommodateSivaBhaktaswhovisited thetemple.DailyheusedtoinviteSivaBhaktasandofferKowpeenam,etc.

LordSivawashighlypleasedwithAmaraneediNayanar’sKowpeenacharityandextreme kindnesstoSivaBhaktas.HewantedtoshowtotheworldHisBhakta’sgreatnessandalsoshower Hisblessingsonhim.

So,onedayLordSivaintheguiseofaBrahmachari,withbeautifulmattedlocksonhis head,sacredashesonhisforehead,withastaffonhisshoulder,appearedbeforeAmaraneediar’s Mutt.TwoKowpeenamsandasmallash-bagweretiedtooneendofthestaff.Hehadacharming face.Hiseyeswereglittering.HewalkedgracefullyintotheMutt.Amaraneediar,withextremejoy, welcomedhimandworshippedhim.TheBrahmacharisaid:‘Ohfriend,youareanoblesoul. PeoplearehighlypraisingyourKowpeenacharity.IhavecometoyouforDarshan.’Amaraneediar beggedofhimtotakeBhiksha.Hereadilyagreedandsaid:‘Ishallgototheriverandreturnafter finishingmybathandNityaKarmas.RainmaydrenchmyKowpeenams.So,pleasekeepthisdry Kowpeenamsafelywithyou,andIshallcomebackforit.TheKowpeenamisveryprecious,asyou alreadyknow.So,pleasekeepitsafe.’

TheBrahmachariwentaway,andAmaraneediarkepttheKowpeenamsafelyinsidethe house.But,theLordwilledthatitshoulddisappear!SoonaftertheBrahmacharicamebackafterhis bath,etc.,andaskedforthedryKowpeenamasrainhaddrenchedtheKowpeenamhehadonthe staff.Amaraneediarcouldnotfindit.HeprayedhardtotheLord.Yet,hecouldnotfindit.He approachedtheBrahmachari,trembling,withanotherKowpeenam,andexplainedhispredicament tohim.But,theBrahmachariwasinnomoodtotakeanyexplanation.Amaraneediarofferedmuch wealth,etc.,incompensation.But,theBrahmacharisaid:‘WhathaveItodowithallthiswealth?

Alltheseareofnousetome.IonlyneedaKowpeenam.’And,insayingso,theLordintheguiseof theBrahmachari,utteredaverygreattruth.Hecontinued:‘IhavegotanotherKowpeenam:youcan givemeanotherofthesameweight.’Amaraneediarwasgreatlyrelievedwhenheheardthis.He broughtabalance.HeputtheKowpeenamononesideandanotherpieceontheother.The Brahmachari’sscalewentdown.WhateverAmaraneediarputonhisside,theBrahmachari’sscale washeavier.Amaraneediarwasamazed:andheunderstoodthatitwasGod’sownLila.Allhis wealthcouldnotequaltheBrahmachari’sKowpeenam!Howcouldit?LordSiva’sKowpeenam representstheVedas.ThefibresofHisKowpeenamrepresenttheShastras.

Amaraneediarwasonthehornsofadilemma.HefellattheBrahmachari’sfeetandasked himtoallowhimself,hiswife,andhischildtobeweighedagainsttheBrahmachari’sKowpeenam. TheBrahmachariagreed.Amaraneediargotonthescalewithhiswifeandhischild,saying:‘IfI havetrulyservedtheSivaBhaktas,withfaithandsincerity,letthissca1ebeequalinweighttothe otherone.’Immediatelythetwoscaleswereequal.ThemeritofAmaraneediar’sselflessserviceof theSivaBhaktaswasequaltothemeritofLordSiva’sKowpeenam.Thepeoplewhowitnessedthis werewonderstruck.TheyprostratedbeforeAmaraneediarandpraisedhim.Devasfromtheheaven showeredParijathaflowers.TheBrahmacharidisappearedandLordParameswaraandMother ParvathiappearedonTheirRishabhabeforeAmaraneediar,hiswifeandchild.Heblessedthem:‘I amimmenselypleasedwithyourwhole-heartedandsincereserviceofMyBhaktas.Iam immenselypleasedwithyourKowpeenacharity.YouthreewillcometoMyAbodeandlivethere happilyforever.’OnaccountoftheLord’sgrace,thebalanceitselfturnedintoacelestialcarin whichAmaraneediar,hiswifeandhischildattainedSiva’sAbode.

8.ERIPATHANAYANAR

EripathaNayanarwasborninKaruvur,oneofthemaincitiesoftheCholaKingdom.Itwas averysacredplace,situatedonthebankoftheriverAmbiravati.Onboththebanksofthisriver saintsandsagesweredoingTapasandwereradiatingspiritualvibrations.Afamoustemplewas there,too,dedicatedtoLordPasupatheesvararWhowasshoweringHisgraceonthekingandthe peoplealike.Theywereallhappy.EripathaNayanarwasdailyworshippingLordPasupatheesvarar withgreatfaithanddevotion.HisoneaiminlifewastoserveSivaBhaktasandtoofferthemevery kindofprotection.Healwayscarriedaweapon,anaxe,forthispurpose.Withtheaxehewould punishanyonetryingtoharmSivaBhaktas.HewasdoingbythistheLord’sownwork!

Inthatcity,therelivedaSivaBhaktabynameSivakamiAndar.Hewasveryregularinhis dailyworshipofLordSiva.Earlymorningwouldfindhiminthegardenafterbath,collecting flowers,makinggarlandsfortakingtothetempleandofferingtotheLord.Thiswashisroutine.

OnaMahaNavamidaywhenallthepeoplewerejubilant,SivakamiAndarwasrushingto thetemple,asusual,withabasketofflowers.Atthesametime,theking’spetelephantwas returningfromtheriver,afteritsbath.OnitsbackweretwoMahouts,andthreeotherswere escortingit.Suddenly,itwentmadandwaschasingthepeople.Theywererunninghereandthere. ItrantowardsSivakamiAndar.Itcaughtholdofhim,wrenchedthebasketofflowersfromhim, threwitonthegroundandranaway.Theflowerswereallscatteredontheground.SivakamiAndar wasgreatlyupset.TheelephanthaddestroyedtheflowershehadkeptfortheworshipoftheLord. Hechasedtheelephant.Hewasveryagedandsoonfelldownexhausted.Hewasweepingbitterly,

cryingaloud:‘Sivada,Sivada’(acryexpressingagony).EripathaNayanarhappenedtopassthat way.HeheardSivakamiAndar’spitiablecryandthecauseofit.‘Whereisthatelephant?’asked EripatharandbegantoruninthedirectionindicatedbySivakamiAndar.Soonheovertookthe elephantandhurledhispowerfulaxe,killingitwithonestroke.ThenhepouncedontheMahouts andkilledthem,too.

Thenewsoftheelephant’sfatereachedthekingwhoimmediatelyreachedthespotonhis horse,surroundedbyhissoldiers.Hecouldnotseewhohadkilledtheelephant,for,hecouldnot associatetheSivaYogiEripatharwithsuchanact.Hebegantoshout:‘Whokilledmyelephant?’ WhensomeonepointedtoEripathar,immediatelytheking’swrathvanished,forheknewthatifthe SivaYogihaddoneso,thereshouldhavebeenaveryvalidreasonforit.‘Hemusthavekilleditin self-defence,’thoughtthekingandfelthappythattheelephanthaddonenoharmtotheSivaYogi. HeaddressedEripathar:‘OhSwamin,Ididnotknowthatyoukilledtheelephant.Definitely,the elephantandtheMahoutsmusthavedonesomeharmtoyouandyourightlypunishedthem.’ Eripatharnarratedtothekingallthathadhappened,andsaid:‘SincetheelephantandtheMahouts wereguiltyof Siva-Aparadham,Ikilledthem.’Themomentthekingheardtheexpression Siva-Aparadhara (sinagainstLordSiva)hesufferedterriblementalagony.Hefellatthefeetof Eripatharandsaid:‘OSwamin,forwhattheyhavedone,thepunishmentawardedbyyouisnot enough.IhavecommittedagreatcrimebykeepingsuchanelephantandsuchMahouts.Now,Ido notdeserveadeaththroughyourholyweapon,theaxe.Hereismyownsword.Pleasebegracious enoughtocutoffmyheadwithit.’

Eripatharwasstunnedtohearthesewords.Hehimselfwasstruckwithremorse.‘Whata greatpainhaveIinflictedontheking!Whatanoblekingheis!’hethought;and,lesttheking shouldexecutethepunishmentonhimself,hetooktheswordfromtheking.Eripatharfeltthathe wasthecausefortheking’saffliction,andinself-punishment,hebegantocuthisownthroat.The kingwasalarmed.Hethoughtthathewouldnowbeguiltyofanotheroffenceandatoncegripped theswordandstoppedEripatharfromcuttinghisownthroat.

TheLord’sLilawasover.Avoicewasheardinthesky:‘Ohnoblesouls!ThisisLord Pasupatheesvarar’sLila.ItisHiswishthatHisBhakta’ssincereandfaithfulservicetoHimmustbe recognisedbytheworld.’Immediately,theelephantsandtheMahoutsgotup,asfromsleep. SivakamiAndar’sflowerbasketwasfull.AllwereamazedandbegantosingLord Pasupatheesvarar’sglory.Eripatharplacedtheswordattheking’sfeetandprostratedtohim.The kingalsofellatEripathar’sfeet.Bothembracedeachotherandwereingreatjoy.Eripatharwished thatthekingshouldmounthispetelephant.Thekingdidso.Eripatharreturnedtohisplace. SivakamiAndarwenttothetemplewiththeflowers.

EripatharcontinuedtoserveSivaBhaktas.Finallyhecastoffhismortalcoilandreachedthe AbodeofLordSiva.

9.ENADINATHANAYANAR

EnadinathaNayanarwasaShanar(toddytapper).HewasborninEyinanurinChola Kingdom.Itwassituatedtothesouth-eastofKumbakonamonthebankoftheriverArisol.Itwas veryfertileandrich.

EnadinatharwasanardentdevoteeofLordSiva.LikeMaiporulNayanar,however,hewas devotedeventotheexternalmarksofSivaBhakti.ToEnadiar,thethreewhitelinesofVibhutior sacredashonone’sforeheadweresufficienttoevokehisownreverence.

Itwouldnotbeoutofplaceheretosayawordaboutthismarkontheforeheadofdevoteesof Siva.ThroughthismarkLordSivateachessilentlythatthespiritualaspirantshoulddestroythe threetypesofimpurities,viz.,Anavam(I-ness),Karma(selfishactivity),andMaya(illusion):the threedesiresorEshanas,viz.,desireforworldlygoods,forsonandforwife:thethreeVasanasor subtletendencies,viz.,Lokavasana(worldliness),Dehavasana(attachmenttothebody)and Shastravasana(blindfaithinthescripturesandpolemics),andthatheshouldtranscendthethree bodies(physical,astralandcausal),andthethreestates,viz.,waking,dreaminganddeep sleep,—andeventuallyattainunionwithLord.TheShastrasassureusthattheBhasmaorsacredash isadivinehealer.Itcuresalldiseases,includingthediseaseofbirthanddeath,andbestowsonthe devoteewhowearsit,thehighestwealth,viz.,Moksha.

Suchisthegloryofthesacredash:and,nowonderEnadiarworshippedwhoevercameto himwiththeashonhisforehead.EnadiarsawLordSivainhim.Hewasreadytogiveevenhisown lifeatthefeetofthedevoteewhoworetheash.

EnadinathaNayanarwasaverygoodswordsman.Hewasatutortotheprincesinfencing. Heearnedagoodincomefromhisprofession.HespentallhisincomeintheserviceoftheSiva Bhaktas.Hebecameverypopular,too.Thisevokedthejealousyofanothermanbelongingtothe sameprofession,bynameAtisuran.Contrarytohisname(whichmeansagreathero),hewasnotat allskilfulandnotstrongeither,becausehewasfullofvices.Yet,hewantedtofightwith Enadinatharanddefeathim.

OnedayAtisuranmarchedtowardsEnadinathar’shouse,withallhisrelatives,fullyarmed: hehopedtodefeatEnadinathar,withthehelpofhisrelatives.HestoodinfrontofEnadinathar’s houseandchallengedhimtoafight—jackalcomingtofightthelion.Enadinatharacceptedthe challengeandcameforwardtofight.Atisurangotfrightened.HeaskedEnadinathartocometothe nearbygrovetofightwithhim.TherelativesofAtisuranwerewaitinginthegrove.Inthemean time,thefriendsofEnadinatharhadalsogatheredaroundhim.Thetwopartiesfelloneachother, andintheterriblefightthatensuedmanyliveswerelost.Atisuranranawayfromthegrove.He wantedtokillEnadinathar,notinopenfight(whichwasimpossible),butbystrategem.

Thenextday,hesentamessagetoEnadinathar:‘Letusfightagain,butwithoutany assistancethistime:otherwise,manyinnocentpeopledieonouraccount.Letusgotoalonely place,withoutanyone’sknowledgeandfight.’Enadinatharacceptedit.Thenextmorning, EnadinatharwentawaysecretlyandwasawaitingAtisuran’sarrivalatthestipulatedplace. Atisuran,withthesacredashesonhisforehead(whichwascleverlyhiddenbyhisshield) approachedEnadinathar.Enadinatharpounceduponhim,withabigroar.Inamoment,Atisuran removedtheshield,revealingthesacredashes.Enadinatharquicklyloweredhisswordandthought: ‘WhatasinIwasabouttocommit!HehasbecomeaSivaBhaktanow.Imustnotharmhim.Let himachievehisobjectofkillingme.’Endinatharwantedtothrowtheswordaway,butkeptitinhis hand,elsehewouldbecompellinghisopponent(aSivaBhakta!)toincurthesinofkillingan unarmedperson.Ashewasmutelystandingthus,Atisurankilledhim.

LordSivawashighlypleasedwiththisself-sacrificingdevotionthatEnadinatharhadforthe ashes.HeappearedbeforeEnadinatharashefell,andtookhimtoHisAbode.

10.KANNAPPANAYANAR

NaganwasthekingofhuntersatUduppurinPottapiNadu.HiswifewasTattai.Theywere greatdevoteesofLordSubramanya.ByHisgrace,theyhadachild,afteralongtime.Itwasvery heavy:so,theynamedhim Tinnanar.

TinnanarwasArjunainthepreviousbirth,accordingtoTiruKalahasthiPuranam.Whenhe wenttoworshipSiva,togetPasupathaAstra,andwhentheLordcametohimasahunter,Arjuna didnotrecogniseHim.So,hehadtobebornasahunteragainandadoretheLord,beforeattaining FinalLiberation.

Tinnanarwaseducatedaccordingtothehunters’customs.Hebecameagoodarcher.Even whenhewasyoung,hisfatherretired,andcrownedhimking.Thoughhewasahunterandcarried onhuntingashisDharma,Tinnanarwasfullofloveandwouldnotkillyoungones,females, diseasedanimals,etc.Spiritually,hehadalreadykilledtheanimalswithinhimself,viz.,lust,anger, greed,vanity,etc.

Oneday,Tinnanarwentouthunting.Apigescapedfromitsnetandwasrunningaway. Tinnanarpursueditaccompaniedbytwoothers,NananandKadan.Thepigwastiredandstood nearatree.ItwasquicklykilledbyTinnanar.Theyweretired,too,andthirsty.Theyproceeded towardsthePonmukali.Tinnanarwantedtoclimbthenearbymountain.Nanan,too,volunteeredto followhim,sayingthatonthat,theKalahasthihill,therewasLordKudumithevar(Godwitha Tuft).Kadanwasbusycookingthepork.

Evenwhenhebegantoclimbthehill,therewasadefinitechangecomingoverTinnanar, owingtopastSamskaras.Hefeltthatagreatburdenwasbeingliftedoffhisshoulders.Hewas losingbody-consciousness.AshesawtheLordthere,hefeltsupremelovesurginginhisheart.He embracedtheLingamandkissedIt.Hebegantoshedtearsofjoy.HefeltthattheLordwaslonely there,andthatheshouldthenceforthremainwithHim.Again,hethoughtthattheLordmightbe hungry.ThoughhewasreluctanttoleavetheLordalone,hequicklycamedownthehilltofetch somefoodfortheLord.Hetookthebestpiecesofthepork,tastedthemandear-markedthevery bestforHim.Inthemeantime,hegatheredfromNananthattheLordwasworshippeddailywith water,flowers,etc,beforethefoodwasofferedtoHim.So,hebegantocollecttheotherarticlesof worship.Hefilledhisownmouthwithwaterfromtheriver.Flowers,hegatheredandworethemon hishead!Hetookthepork,bowandarrowandwentupthehillagain,alonethistime.

Atthetemple,Tinnanarpouredfromhismouth,thewaterthathehadbroughtforHis worship.Thatwashis‘Abhishekam’.ThenhedecoratedtheLingamwiththeflowershehad broughtonhisownhead.Thiswashis‘Archana’.HethenplacedtheporkbeforetheLord.Hewent outandstoodguardforHim,attheentrance,lestsomewildanimalsshouldhurtHim.Inthe morningagainhewentouttohuntandbringfreshfoodfortheLord.

Inthemeantime,NananandKadanworriedaboutthechangethathadcomeoverTinnanar (whichtheythoughttobemadness).TheywentandreportedthemattertoTinnanar’sparents.They cameandtried,invain,totakehimback.They,too,wentaway.

WhenTinnanarleftthetempleinthemorningtogetfoodfortheLord,Sivagochariar,the templepriest,cametherefortheusualorthodoxworship.Hewashorrifiedatthedesecrationthat someunknownpersonhaddoneinthetemple.HewaswellversedintheAgamas(ritualsof Siva-worship).Heperformedthenecessarypurificatoryritesandtookbathagainandbeganhis formalworship.Hebroughtwaterinaholypot,withabandagearoundhisownmouth,lestthe breathofhismouthshouldpolluteit.Hebroughtfreshflowersinaholybasket.Hebroughtfruits andsweets,newlymadeandunpollutedbyanyonetastingit,beforetheLordforbeingofferedto Him.Hewenthomeaftertheworship.

Tinnanarreturnedwithfreshmeat.Heremovedthepriest’sdecorations,anddidthe worshipinhisownway,andthenasusual,stoodguardattheentrance.

Thiswentonforfivedays.Thepriestwasgreatlyupsetaboutthedesecrationoftheholy place.HeappealedtotheLordtostopit.LordSivawantedtoshowtoSivagochariarthenatureof Tinnanar’ssupremedevotion.Hecommandedhiminadream,tohidehimselfbehindtheLingam, whenTinnanarwenttothetemplethenextday,andwatchwhattookplace.

Onthesixthday,TinnanarwentoutasusualforgettingtheLord’sfood.Whilereturning,he sawmanyillomens,whichmadehimfeelthatsomethinghadhappenedtotheLord:hewasso unconsciousofhimself,thathedidnotthinkthatsomethingcouldhappentohim.Herantowards theLord.HewasgrievedtoseebloodissuingfromtheLord’srighteye.Thearticleshehadbrought fortheworshipdroppedfromhishand.Heweptbitterly.Hecouldnotfindwhohaddonethistothe Lord.Hetreatedtheeyewithherbsheknewof.Stillthebleedingdidnotstop.Asimpleidea occurredtohim:‘fleshforflesh’.Atonce,withhisownarrow,hetookouthisownrighteye,and fixeditovertherighteyeoftheLord.Thebleedingstopped.Hewasveryhappy.Whenhewas dancinginecstasy,henoticedthattheLord’slefteyehadbeguntobleed.But,hehadalreadyfound outtheremedy.Therewasonlyoneproblem:howtolocatetheeyeoftheLord,whenhisowneye hadbeenpulledout.So,TinnanarplantedhisfootattheplacewheretheLord’slefteyewasonthe Lingam,andbegantopullhislefteyeout,withhisarrow.

Atonce,LordSivacaughtholdofhishandandsaid:‘Mydearchild,Kannappa!Stop pluckingyoureye.’TheLordrepeatedtheword Kannappa thrice.Kannapparwasthriceblessed. TinnanarbecameKannappar,becausehegavehisowneyetotheLord.LordSivatookhimwith bothHands,andkepthimonHisrightside.Kannapparregainedhisvisionandlivedasgodhimself. Sivagochariarunderstoodthetruenatureofdevotion.

Thisstoryhasanesotericmeaning,too.Nayanarhadconqueredallotherevils:but,Anava Malamoregoismhadtobekilled,too.Thewildpigrepresentsthis.SupremeBhaktidawned,the momentthiswaskilled.Initschase,theseekerisaccompaniedbygoodandevil(thetwohunters NananandKadan).Nanan(good)describedthegloryoftheLordtohim:Nananrepresentsgood Samskaras.Kadan(theevil)hadtobeleftbehind.TheaspirantwithgoodSamskaras,goestoHis Presence.But,whenhehastoattainGod-realisation,eventhishastoberenounced.Hence,

Nayanar,whenhewenttoworshipHim,wentalone.Nayanar’sparents(thehiddengoodandevil tendenciesandworldlydesires)triedbutfailedtotakehimawayfromGod.TheLordaskedthe priesttohidebehindHim,whileTinnanarwasinfront:thismeans,trueBhaktiisfarsuperiorto mereritual.Tinnanar’sreadinesstopluckouthisowneyesforHissakeistotalself-surrenderor Atma-Nivedan,thehighestpeakofdevotionwhichimmediatelyrevealstheLordinallHisglory.

11.KUNGILIYAKALAYANAYANAR

KungiliyaKalayaNayanarwasborninTirukadavurintheCholakingdom.TheLordofthis placeiscalledAmirdaGhateswarar.OnceDevasandAsurascametothisplacewithnectarinapot. Theywantedtotakebath.So,theyleftthepotonthegroundandwenttotheriver.Whentheycame backtotheplace,theycouldnotliftthepot.ThepotitselfhadbeentransformedintoaLingam. HencethisLingamisknownasAmritaLingam.MarkandeyaworshippedthisLingamandbecame animmortalboyof16years.

TheGoddessinthisplaceiscalledAbhiramiAmman.AbhiramiPattar,agreatdevoteeof Mother,sangbeautifulsongsinpraiseofHer:andtheMotherWhowashighlypleasedwiththis, changedthenewmoondayintoafullmoonday,inordertosavehimfromtheking’swrath.

KungiliyaKalayaNayanarwasaBrahminbycasteHegotthenamebecausehewasalways holdingapot(anincensepot)inhishand.HeconsideredburningofincensebeforetheLordwasthe bestservicetoHim.LordSivawashighlypleasedwiththeNayanar’sintensedevotionandhis wonderfulservice.Hewantedtoputittotest,sothatthetruegloryofhissupremedevotiontothe Lordmaybeunderstoodbyall.

BythewillofLordSiva,Nayanarbecamepoorsuddenly.Hesoldallhisproperty.His familywasstarving.Still,hecontinuedtoburnincensebeforetheLord.Onedayhisdutifulwife thought:‘Everythinghasbeensold.Onlythis Mangalyam (asacredthreadwithapendant,which everymarriedwomanmustalwayshaveonherperson,tillthehusbanddies,whenitisremoved),is left.IwillgiveittomyLord:thoughitisinauspicioustodoso.Lethimsellitandobtainsomerice, withwhichwecouldfeedthechildrenwhomaydieofhungerotherwise.’Sheremovedthe Mangalyam andgaveittoherhusband,whogladlyreceivedit.Ashewasproceedingtothemarket tosellit,LordSivaHimselfappearedbeforehim,intheguiseofahawkerandsaidthathehadvery goodincense.Theword incense atoncemadeNayanarforgethimselfandthemission!Hequickly boughtincenseforthepriceofthe Mangalyam, andwenttothetempletoburnitbeforetheLord.

Hiswifepatientlywaitedforhisreturn,and,notfindinghimevenafternightfall,putthe childrentobedandremainedpraying.TheLordwasimmenselypleasedwiththisnoblecouple.The faithfulwifewaspreparedtopartwitheventhemostsacredornamentfortheserviceofherlord,her husband.TheKuralsays: ‘Rainfallsatthebiddingofherwho,onwakingfromsleep,worshipsno otherGodbutherhusband.’ ThatnightLordSivaappearedinherdreamandblessedherwithall wealth.

Shewokeupfromhersleepandwasamazedtofindalltypesofwealthinthehouse.She sangHisglories.Immediatelyshepreparedanicemealandwaswaitingforherlord’sreturn.

AfterblessingtheNayanar’swife,thus,LordSivaappearedbeforeNayanarinthetemple andsaid:‘Ohnoblesoul,Iamimmenselypleasedwithyourdevotion.Yourdutifulwifeis anxiouslywaitingforyouinthehousewithmilkandfood.Kindlygotoyourhouse.’Itwasonly thenthatNayanarbecameawareofthisworld!Hereturnedtothehouseandfoundthatithadbeen transformedintoaheaven,bythegraceoftheLord.SivaBhaktas,too,hadassembledinthehouse inlargenumbers.TheyallsangthegloriesoftheLord.TheNayanartreatedthewealththattheLord hadbestoweduponhimasthepropertyofSivaBhaktasandservedthem.

OnedayNayanarwantedtovisitthetempleatTiruppanandal.TheLordofthistempleis Arunasatesar.ThatakaiwasthedaughterofanAsura.Forgettingason,sheworshippedtheSiva Lingamregularly.Onedayattheendoftheworship,shewantedtogarlandtheLingam.Asshe liftedthegarlandwithbothherhands,herclothbegantoslipfromherwaist.Shehelditwithher elbows,andhencecouldnotraiseherhands(andthegarland)highenough.Torelieveher,theLord leanedtoonesideandacceptedthegarland.ManypeopletriedtopulltheLingamstraight:butit couldnotbedone.Nayanarheardthatthekingoftheplacewasupsetaboutitandwantedthe Lingamtobestraightened.Nayanarwantedtohelptheking.HetiedtheLingamtohisneckwitha rope(theropeofGod-love)andgentlypulledit.TheLingambecameupright!Devasrainedflowers fromheaven.AllwereamazedandrecognisedthegloryoftheNayanarandhisgreatdevotiontothe Lord.

AfterspendingsomemoretimeintheserviceofLordSivaandHisBhaktas,Nayanar reachedHisAbode.

12.MANAKANCHARANAYANAR

KancharurwasafertileplaceintheCholakingdom.ThepeoplewereallSivaBhaktas.In thisplacetherelivedastaunchdevoteeofLordSivabynameManakancharanar.HewasaVellala bycaste.HewasahereditarySenathipathi.Peopleofthecommunityhadthehighestregardforhim. HewasacontemporaryofSundaramurthiNayanar.TohimadorationofSivaBhaktaswasthe highestformofworshipoftheLord.Hewouldreadtheirmindsfromtheirlook,andwouldserve themwithouttheirasking.

Hehadnochildrenforalongtime.HeworshippedSivawithfaithanddevotionand obtainedtheboonofadaughterfromHim.Nayanarcelebratedthebirthofthisdivinechild,witha lotofcharity.Induetime,thegirlattainedthemarriageableage.Shewasengagedtobemarriedto EyarkonKalikamarwhowasalsoanearnestandsinceredevoteeoftheLord.Thedateofthe weddinghadbeenfixedandallarrangementsmade.

Inthemeantime,LordSivawantedtoshowerHissupremegraceontheNayanar.Hetook theformofaMaha-Vrathiar(manofgreatvow)whowearsthesacredashonhisforehead,matted locksadornedwithagarlandofbones,andasacredthreadmadeofhumanhaironhischest.The Maha-VrathiarappearedbeforeManakancharanarwhoreceivedhimwithgreatdelight.Whenthe asceticenquiredaboutthecauseofthefestiveappearanceofthehouse,Nayanarexplainedthathis daughterwastowedthatclay.Heaskedthegirltobowtotheasceticandreceivehisblessings.The asceticsawherflowinghair,andsaid:‘Ohnoblesoul,Iamdelightedtoseeherhair.Thiscanbe convenientlymadeintoa Panchavati (thethreadthatadornsmychest).’Atonce,Nayanartooka

knifeand,withoutthinkingforamoment,cutthehaironhisdaughter’sheadandhandedittothe ascetic.InhisextremedevotiontotheSivaYogi,hedidnotevenconsiderthefactthathewas disfiguringhisonlydaughter,andthatthebridegroommightrefusetoaccepther.TheLordinthe formoftheasceticimmediatelydisappeared.HegaveNayanarandhisfamilyDarshanamalong withMotherParvathyandblessedthem.

EyarkonKalikamar,thebridegroom,andhispartyarrivedtheresoonafter,andcameto knowofallthathadhappened.HewassorrythathehadnotcomeearlierandhadtheLord’s Darshan.Whenhesawthedisfiguredbrideandhesitatedtoaccepther,LordSiva,theIndweller, understoodthecause,andrestoredthehairtoherhead.Nayanarandhisfamilywereveryhappyand proceededwiththewedding.

13.ARIVATTAYANAYANAR

ThereoncelivedinKannamangalamintheCholakingdomarichVellalabyname Thayanar.HewasleadingthelifeofanidealGrihastha(householder)ofwhomthesaint Tiruvalluvarhassung:

Hewillbeplacedamongthegodsinheavenwhointhisworldfollowsthelawofthe householder’slife.

ThayanarwasagreatdevoteeofLordSiva.Hisdevotiontooktheformofadailyofferingto theLordoffoodpreparedwithredrice,asaucemadeofredherb,andmangopickle.Heconsidered thisasanactofgreatdevotiontotheLord.TheLordwashighlypleasedwithThayanar’sdevotion. Hewantedtoputittothetest,inordertomanifestittotheworldinallitsglory.ByHisWill, povertystruckThayanar.Thayanargothimselfemployedandearnedhiswagesinkind(redrice). Hehimselfwouldnoteatthisredrice,butlivedontheinferior khar rice.TheLordtestedhim further.Allthefieldsintheplacegrewonly red rice.But,Thayanarwouldnottouchit.Hiswife cookedforhimsomegreenleavesfromtheirgarden.Thayanarwascontentandwasintentonhis usualofferingtotheLord.TheLordputHisdevoteethroughmoreseveretests.Eventhegreen leaveswitheredawayandtherewasnothingleft.Thayanarwasnotatallperturbed.Hehappily livedonmerewater:hismindwasfulloftheblissoftheworshipoftheLordandhefeltneither hungernorthirst.Oneday,Thayanar,nowemaciatedandweak,wastakinghisusualofferingtothe Lord,followedbyhiswife.Hestumbledonthewayandfelldown.Theofferinghehad,wasspilton theground.Thayanarwasgreatlyupset.Hebegantoweepbitterly:‘OhLord,todaythefood intendedforYouhasbeenspiltontheground.WhatgreatsinhaveIcommittedtodeservethis? Pleaseforgiveme.Havemercyonthispoorcreature.Youareomnipotent,omniscientand omnipresent.Ifthisistrue,Youmustbepresentherealso.Kindlycomeandaccepttheoffering here.IfYoudonoteatthis,Iwillgiveupmylife.’Withthesewords,hebegantocuthisthroatwith an Arival (sickle).Hence,thenameArivattayaNayanar.

LordSivawashighlypleasedwithhisdevotion.HisLilawasover.HeatoncestretchedHis handandcaughtholdofNayanar’s,thuspreventinghimfromcuttinghisownthroat.Nayanardid notrealisewhatwashappening.Atthattime,heheardthesoundofsomeonebitingamangopickle. HeunderstoodtheLord’sLila,sangHisgloriesanddanced.TheLordandMotherParvathi

appearedbeforehimandblessedhim:‘Ohnoblesoul,Iamimmenselypleasedwithyourdevotion. YouandyourchastewifewillsooncometoMyAbodeandlivehappilythere.’

14.ANAYANAYANAR

TirumangalamwasanimportantplaceofpilgrimageinMazhanad(TrichnopolyDistrict). TheLordWhodwellsinthisplaceiscalledSamavedesvarar.ItwasHeWhopurifiedParasuramaof thesinofkillinghismotherandalsogavehimtheaxe.

Inthatenchantingplace,therewasacowherdbynameAnayar.Becausehewastending cows,hewasknownbythatname.HewasastaunchdevoteeoftheLord.Hewasdevotedtothe Bhasma,andalsotoSivaBhaktas,irrespectiveoftheircaste.HisdevotiontotheLordtooktheform ofplayingonhisflutetheholyPanchaksharaMantraofSiva.HeaspiredtorealisetheLord, throughthisMantra.

OnedaywhenhewasplayingtheMantraonhiscelestialinstrument,undera Konrai tree(a favouriteofLordSiva),themusiccaptivatedallthecowsandcalves.Eventhebirdssatontreesand silentlyheardtheenrapturingmusicoftheflute.Thepeacocksdancedinjoy,keepingtimewiththe music.Hearingthemusic,otheranimalsstoodmotionless.Themusiccaptivatedtheheartsofthe deer,snakes,lions,elephants,tigers,etc.Thesnakeandthepeacock,thelionandtheelephant,shed theirenmityandlivedtogetherhappily.Theriversstoppedintheircourse.Thewavesinthesea calmed,tohearthemusicofAyanar.Eventhecelestials(Vidyadharas,KinnarasandDevas,)came intheircelestialcarstohearthemusic.

TheLordwasimmenselypleasedwithAyanar’ssinceredevotion.Thesweetnessofthe musicofthefluteandtheeffectofthePanchaksharaMantrabothmeltedHisheart.Heappeared beforeNayanar,withMotherParvathi,blessedhimandtookhimtoKailas.

15.MURTHINAYANAR

ToadoreLordSivawithsandalwoodpaste,smearingitallovertheLingamisregardedasa greatformofHisworship.ThiskindofworshipwasdonebyMurthiNayanar.Hewasbornin MadurainPandyakingdom.HewasaVaisyabycaste.HewasagreatdevoteeofLordSiva.Daily heusedtooffersandalwoodpastetotheLord.

Atthattime,thecitywasinvadedbyaKarnatakaking.InthebattlethePandyakingwas defeated.TheKarnatakarulerbecamethePandyaking.HewasafollowerofJainism.Hewantedto exterminateSaivismandtospreadhisreligion.HebegantopersecuteSaivas.‘MurthiNayanaralso hadtobearalotofsufferings.But,hewasundaunted.HecontinuedhisworshipoftheLord,with sandalwood.

Theking,withaviewtoconvertMurthiNayanarforciblytoJainism,madeitimpossiblefor anyoneinMaduratoobtainsandalwood.ThisgreatlyupsettheNayanar.HeprayedtotheLord: ‘OhOceanofMercy,thiscountryisruledbyatyrantandheisbentuponexterminatingYour devotees.WhenwillwebefortunateenoughtogetakingwhowillbedevotedtoYou?’Heknew

thatthepeoplewouldfollowtheking,outoffearandinanefforttowinhisfavour.He,therefore, wantedaSaiviteking!

Hesearchedthroughoutthedayforalittlesandalwoodtoofferhisworship.Hecouldnotget any.Withabrokenheart,hewenttothetemple:andhehadawonderfulidea.Hebegantorubhis ownelbow(intheplaceofsandalwood!).Thehandwasbleedingprofusely.LordSivawashighly pleasedwithhisdevotion.Aheavenlyvoicesaid:‘Ohnoblesoul,Iamimmenselypleasedwith yourdevotion.Kindlystoprubbingyourelbow.Allyourgrievanceswillberedressed.Kindlytake upthereinsofthekingdom.Afterrulingthecountryjustlyandwiselyforalongtime,youwill cometoMyAbode.’Nayanarwasamazedtohearthisandtoseethathiselbowregaineditsoriginal shape.

MurthiNayanardidnotaspireforkingship,butitwastheLord’swill.Thatnightthecruel kingdied.Thenextday,theMinisterssentthepalaceelephanttochoosetheirking,inaccordance withanancientcustom.Theelephantproceededtowardsthetemple.MurthiNayanarhadcome thereforhisworship.Theelephantbowedtohimandplacedhimonhisbackandreturnedtothe palace.

TheMinistersbeggedofNayanartobecometheirking.Nayanarstipulatedthiscondition: ‘IfIbecomeking,Iwillnothaveanyluxurybath,butwillbatheonlywiththesacredashes.My jewelwillbeonlyRudrakshamandmycrownwillonlybemattedlocks.Ishallstrivetoletthelove ofLordSivabeenthronedintheheartsofall.’TheMinistersacceptedtheseconditionswithgreat joyandsatisfaction.

Nayanarruledthecountryjustlyandwiselyforalongtime,andeventuallyattainedSiva’s Abode.

16.MURUGANAYANAR

TodoArchanawithflowersmentionedinSivaAgamas,toofferflowergarlandstothe Lord,andtorepeatthePanchaksharaMantraistheidealformofworship.PanchaksharaMantrais consideredaverygreatMantrabecauseitoccursinthecentreoftheSriRudradhyayi,whichoccurs inthemiddleofthemiddleKhandaoftheYajurVeda.HewhodoesJapaofthisMantraisatonce relievedfromthediseaseofbirthanddeath.

MurugaNayanarexcelledinthisworship.HewasborninTirupukalur,madefamousby manyotherNayanarsalso.Dailyhewouldwakeupwellbeforesunrise,takebath,wearthesacred ashonhisforehead,dohisNityaKarmas,andgotothegardenwithabasket.Repeatingthe Panchaksharahewouldcollectflowers,andasmentionedintheSivaAgamas,makecolourful garlandsandoffertotheLord.

OnedaythegreatJnanaSambandarcametohisplace.MurugaNayanarinvitedhimand worshippedhimandwonhisfavour.Sambandartookhimashisdearestfriend.MurugaNayanar gotthegreatgoodfortuneofattendingSambandar’sweddingwhenhe,thebrideandallothers (indudingMurugaNayanar)gotmergedintheDivineEffulgenceoftheLord.Hence,theKural

says:‘Rarestofallrarethingsistowinthegreattoone’ssidebycourtingit.‘MurugaNayanar’s devotionwonforhimSambandar’sfriendship,and,throughthat,God-realisation.

17.RUDRAPASUPATHINAYANAR

TherearesevenKhandasintheYajurVedaregardedastheHeadoftheLord.SriRudramis inthecentreofthemiddleKhandaoftheYajurVeda.Itsrecitationisagreatpurifier.Itdescribes theLord’swonderfulmanifestations.Standingintheriverandrecitingthissacredscriptureis regardedasspeciallyefficacious,andbestowsMokshaonthedevotee.

RudraPasupathiNayanarwasagreatdevoteeofLordSivaandheresortedtothisSadhana. HeusedtoreciteSriRudramstandinginwater,neckdeepandwas,therefore,blessedbytheLord withMoksha.

18.TIRUNALAIPOVARNAYANAR

NandanarwasaParaiah(untouchable)bycaste.HewasborninAdanoorintheChola kingdom.Hewasanembodimentofhumilityanddevotion.LordSivawashissolerefuge.He wouldoftenvisittheholyplacesofpilgrimage,andsupplyleatherdrumsandsuchothermusical instrumentsforthetemples.Whenhewentnearthetemples,healwaysremainedoutsideand worshippedtheLordmentally.

OncehehadadesiretohaveDarshanoftheLordatTirupunkur.Hewasalsoeagertodo someservicetotheLordthere.HewenttoTirupunkurandstoodinfrontofthetemple.Hewas grievedbecauseNandiwhichisalwaysrightinfrontoftheLordwashidingHim.Nandanarprayed totheLordfervently.TheLordwashighlypleasedwithhisdevotionandaskedNanditomovea littlesothatNandanarmighthaveHisDarshan.Eventoday,atTirupunkur,Nandiisleaningtoone side!NandanarhadadelightfulDarshanoftheLord.Afterdiggingatanknearthetemplehe returnedtoAdanoor.

ThedesirenowaroseinhimthatheshouldgotoChidambaramandhaveDarshanofLord Nataraja.TheloveoftheLordhadgrownsointensethathewouldshedtearsofloveandtellhis companions:‘IwillsurelygotoChidambaram tomorrow.‘Thisexpressionearnedforhimthe nameTiruNalaiPovar(onewhowouldgotomorrow).Onedayheactuallylefthisplaceandwent toChidambaram.Hewentroundthevillageand,thinkingofhislowbirth,didnotwanttoenterit.

Heprayed:‘OhLord,IwanttoseeyourCosmicDanceinYourNrityaSabha.But,howcanI?On accountofmylowbirththeywillnotallowmetoenterthetemple.’Fordayshewentonpraying likethis.TheLord,pleasedwithhisdevotion,appearedinhisdreamandsaid:‘Ohnoblesoul,do notgrieve.YouwillcometoMe.Takeafirebath.ThencometoMyKanakaSabhaalongwiththe Brahmins.’Nandanarwokeupandwashighlypleased.Atthesametime,theLordappearedbefore theBrahminsofTillai,intheirdream,andsaid:‘OBrahmins,Mydearestdevotee,TiruNalai Povar,hascometoTillai.Prepareasacredfire.NandanarwilltakebathinitandthencometoMe.’

Thenextday,theBrahminspreparedthesacredfire.TheywenttoNandanar,prostrated beforehimandrelatedtheirdream.Nandanarwentroundthefire,andwithHisNameonhislips andhismindfixedonthelotusfeetoftheLord,hejumpedintothefire.Heemergedfromthefire

withanewholybody,withsacredashessmearedallover,theholythreadandmattedlocks.Hewas thentakeninsidethetemple.IntheKanakaSabha,heworshippedtheLord.Hewentintoadivine ecstasyandwascompletelyabsorbedinthedanceoftheLord.Adazzlinglightwasseeninthe room,andNandanarhaddisappeared.HehadbecomeonewithLordNataraja.

19.TIRUKURIPPUTHONDANAYANAR

Thondamandalamwasaprosperousland.ItscapitalwasKanchipuram.Here,Parvathi worshippedtheLord,accordingtotheAgamas.TheLordhereiscalledEkambaranathar.

Tiruthondarwasbornhere.Hewasawasherman.HewasastaunchdevoteeofLordSiva. HeservedSivaBhaktas,understandingtheirneedbywatchingforthesignsontheirface,andhence hehadearnedthenameTiruKurippuThondaNayanar.Hisserviceconsistedmainlyofwashingthe clothesofSivaBhaktas.LordSivawantedtoblessthisdevotee:and,asusual,ithadtobepreceded byaseveretest.

TheLorddisguisedHimselfasapoorman,withRudrakshamonhisneckandsacredashes overthebody,andappearedbeforeTiruthondarwearingadirtyrag.TheverysightoftheSiva BhaktaputNayanarinatrance.Heworshippedhim.Thondarthenaskedhim:‘Youhavepurified myhousebyyourvisit.Howisityouaresoemaciated?And,yourragneedswashing.Kindlyallow metodothisserviceforyou.’TheSivaBhaktaagreedtolethimdosoononecondition:therag shouldbewashed,driedandreturnedtohimbeforesunset,otherwisehisemaciatedbodywould perishinthecold.

WhenThondaracceptedthework,therewasbrilliantsunlight.Hehadwashedtheragand immediately,itbegantorainheavily.Itwasnearingsunsettime.Therewasnohopeofgettingthe ragdried.Thondarwasgreatlyupset.InsteadofservingtheSivaBhakta,hewasgoingtoputhimto greathardship.Thinkingofthissin,Thondar,dashedhishead,prayerfully,onthewashingstone, andbegantoweep.

LordSivaappearedbeforehim,heldhishandandsaid:‘Ohnoblesoul,Iamhighlypleased withyoursinceredevotion.YouwillsooncometoMyAbodeandlivehappilythereforever.’

TiruKurippuThondarfellattheLord’sFeetandsangHisglory.

20.CHANDESVARANAYANAR

VicharaSarman(whowaslaterknownasChandesvaraNayanar)wasbornin Tiruchaijnanallur,whichwasfamousforVedicrecitations,Tapas,andSivaBhakti.Hewasa prodigy.AttheageoffivehehadlearnttheVedas,andalltheAgamas,byhimself,onaccountof previousSamskaras.AfterhisUpanayanam(sacredthreadceremony),helearnttheVedas,undera Guru:buttheGuruswerewonder-struckattheintelligenceofthedisciple.HewantedtoattainFinal Emancipationinthatbirth.

OnedayVicharaSarman,withhisfriends,waswalkingalongaroad.Henoticedacowherd severelybeatingacowbecauseithadslightlypushedhimwithitshorn.VicharaSarmancouldnot

endurethis.Hewasgreatlymovedandspoketothecowherd:‘Ohignorantman?Doyounotknow thatthecowisworshipfulanddivine.AlltheDevasdwellinher.Sheisindispensableforall religiousactivities.Itisoursacreddutytotendandprotectthecows.Whoeverharmsthecowis hurledintotheNaraka.WhoeverworshipsthecowwinsaplaceinheavenorinSiva’sAbode.You havecommittedagreatsintoday.Hereafter,youneednottendtothecows:Iwilldothatmyself.’ VicharaSarmantooktheworkuponhimselffromthatday.

Thecowsgrewhealthier.TheylikedVicharaSarmanverymuch.TheBrahminswhogot moremilkthereafterwereabletofulfiltheirreligiousdutiesverywell,andtheywerepleasedwith VicharaSarman.Therewassomuchofsurplusmilknow,thatVicharaSarman,wholovedLord SivaandHisworship,decidedtoperformAbhishekamforLordSiva.HeusedtositunderanAtti treeonthebankoftheriver,constructatemplefromthemud,andalsomakeamud-imageofSiva Lingamandofferthemilk,tobathetheLingam.ThenhewouldperformArchanawiththeAtti flowers.ThecowsweregivingplentyofmilkbothtoVicharaSarmanandtotheBrahmins.

Oneday,whenVicharaSarmanwasdoingthisPuja,avillagerhappenedtopassby,andhe watchedallthis.Hereportedthemattertotheownersofthecows,andcomplainedthatVichara Sarmanwaspouringpreciousmilkonmudandriversand.TheseBrahminssummonedVichara Sarman’sfather,Echhadattan,andpassedthecomplaintontohiminratherstrongterms.Thefather wasnaturallyshocked.Hecamehome,butdidnotspeaktoVicharaSarman.Hewantedtofindout forhimself.So,thenextday,hefollowedVicharaSarmanatadistancewithouthisknowledge. WhenVicharaSarmanbeganpouringmilkontheimprovisedSivaLingam,thefather,without understandingtheson’swonderfuldevotion,hithimwithastick.Theboywassomuchabsorbedin hisPujathathedidnotevenfeelpain.Then,thefather,gettingstillmoreangry,knockedthe milk-potdown.ItwasthenthatVicharaSarmanrealisedthathisfatherwasinterferingwithhis worshipandhadcommittedanunpardonableoffenceagainstLordSiva(SivaAparadham).Heat oncetookastickandhithisfather’sleg:bythewilloftheLord,thestickwastransformedintoan axe.Again,byHiswill,itkilledthefather.ItwastotestthedepthofVicharaSarman’sdevotion.He wassoengrossedintheworship,thathedidnotmindwhathadhappenedandcontinuedthe worship.

LordSivawasimmenselypleasedwiththeintensityofVicharaSarman’sdevotionand appearedbeforehim,withParvathi.VicharaSarmanprostratedbeforetheLord.TheLord embracedVicharaSarmanandfondledhim.Thatveryinstant,VicharaSarmanattainedthedivine FormofLordSiva.TheLordremovedagarlandfromHisownneckandputitaroundVichara Sarman’s.HehadattainedSaroopyaMukthi(liberation,withtheattainmentoftheformofthe Lord).TheLordsaid:‘Mychild,youcutyourownfather’slegforMysake.Now,IamYourFather. YouwillsoonattainChandikesvarar’sAbode.YouworshippedMewithfood,clothesandflower garlands.Inthesamemanner,youwillalsobeworshipped.’TheLorddisappeared.Vichara SarmanalsowenttotheAbodeofChandesvarar.Nosinattachedtohim,forhavingkilledhisown father,becauseofhissupremedevotiontotheLord.Hisfather,too,becausehewaskilledbysucha greatdevoteeoftheLord,waspurgedofthesinofinterferingwithHisworship,andreachedthe AbodeofLordSiva.

21.TIRU-NAVUKKARASARNAYANAR

ApparorTiruNavukkarasarflourishedinthe7thcenturyA.D.HeisoneofthefourSaiva SamayaAcharyas(Saivitespiritualteachers).HewasborninTiruvamoorinTirumunaipadiNadu. Pukalanarwashisfather;Mathiniyar,hismother.Mathiniyargavebirthtoadaughterwhomthey namedTilakavathi.Aftersomeyears,MathiniyarhadasonwhomtheycalledMarulneekiar,the dispellerofdarknessorignorance.EarlyinlifehemasteredalltheShastras.

WhenTilakavatiarreachedhertwelfthyear,shewasbetrothedtoKalaipahayar,amilitary commanderinthePallavaarmy.Beforethewedding,however,hewassentbythekingtofight another,andhediedinbattle.

Pukalanarfellseriouslyillanddied.MathiniyarcommittedSati(diedonthehusband’s funeralpyre).Asthechildrenwererecoveringfromthisshock,thenewsofKalipahayar’sdeath reachedTilakavathiar:andasshe,sinceherbetrothal,hadregardedhimasherhusband,shedecided tocommitSati,too.But,Marulneekiarpleadedwithherremindingherthatnowshewashismother, andalsothreatenedtodieifshewouldnotchangehermindandlive.Tilakavathiarchangedher mindfortheyoungbrother’ssake.Eventhoughshewasyoung,sheledthelifeofanascetic.She washighlydevotedtoLordSiva.HergloriousasceticlifehasbeensungbySekizar,theauthorof Tirumurai. ShewasmothertoAppar.

Marulneekiar,evenwhileyoung,hadrealisedtheunrealityoftheworld.Heengaged himselfinallkindsofcharitableworks.Hewaseagertofindoutthebestreligionandtofollowit. HehadheardmuchaboutJainismanditswonderfulpracticeofAhimsa.HebelievedthatJainism wouldgivehimemancipationandsobecameaconvert.HeevenwenttoPataliputra(inSouthArcot district)andjoinedtheJainschool.Heattainedmasteryoveralltheirscriptures.

Tilakavathiarwasheart-brokenoverthischangeinherbrother.Sheabandonedhernative placeandsettledinTiruvadigaiVirattanam,inaMuttshebuiltthere.SheprayedferventlytoLord VirattaneswarartosaveherbrotherandshowerHisgraceuponhim.TheLordappearedinher dreamonedayandsaid:‘Mychild,yourbrotherhasalreadydonesevereTapasinordertoattain Me.Iwillsurelyturnhismind,bymakinghimsufferfromseverecolic,andthentakehimtoMy fold.’

Marulneekiarfellavictimtoseverecolic.Hecouldnotbearthepain.TheJainstriedtheir bestbutcouldnotrelievethepain.Hefeltintuitivelythatitwasaneye-openingexperience.Helost faithinJainism.Hethoughtofhissister.HethrewawaytheJaingarbandwithoutinforming anybody,returnedtohissister.Hefellatherfeetandprayedtohertoprotecthim.Sheunderstoodit wasHisLila,andsaidthatbythegraceofLordSiva,hewouldbeallright.Shesmearedtheholy ashesonhisforeheadandrepeatedthePanchaksharaMantra.Hisignorancevanished.Shetookhim tothetempleofVirattanesvarar.HeworshippedtheLordandsangahymn:‘OhLord,Ihave insultedYouandYourreligion.Ihavecommittedmanyevilacts.OnceonthebankofGodavari,I arguedwiththesaintsandestablishedthesuperiorityofJainism.Forallthisevil,LordYama himselfhascometomeintheformofthisexcruciatingpain.OhLord,Youaremysolepropand refuge.Saveme.IwilleverkeepYourLotusFeetinmyheart.’Whenheconcludedthesong,the paindisappeared.Acelestialvoicesaid:‘Fromnowonyouwillbeknownas TiruNavukkarasar,

‘LordofSpeech’.Yourglorywillspreadeverywhere.’ThusLordSiva’sgracerestoredhisfaithin Saivism.

Tilakavathiarwasimmenselyhappy,too.Tirunavukkarasarbecameastaunchdevoteeof LordSivaandlivedinHimrepeatingthePanchaksharaMantra.

TheJainsatPataliputrawereafraidthat,ifthekingcametoknowthatbecauseoftheir inabilitytotreatTirunavukkarasar(towhomtheyhadgiventhenameDharmasenar)hehadleft themandgonebacktoSaivism,hewouldtakethemtotask.Sotheyconcoctedanewstoryand showedTirunavukkarasarasatraitoragainstthekingandtheroyalreligion,viz.,Jainism.Theking orderedhisministerstoproduceTirunavukkarasarbeforehim.TheywenttoTiruvathikai,withan army.WhenTirunavukkarasarheardofthechargeagainsthim,hesaid:‘OhMinisters!Iamno longeryourking’ssubject.IamthesubjectofLordSiva,theprotectorofallbeings,thedestroyerof allsins,theLordofallgods,thebestowerofimmortalityandeternalbliss.Disobediencetotheking mayamounttotreasoninthecaseofotherpeople,notmine,becauseIamunderHisprotection. Fearcannotapproachme,becauseIamundertheprotectionofonewhooncekickedLordYama,to saveHis(Siva’s)Bhakta.’TheMinistersrecognisedhisgreatness:butwereafraidtoreturnwithout him.They,therefore,beggedofhimtocomewiththemoutofhissupremecompassion,andto establishthegloryofSaivism.Tirunavukkarasarwentwiththem.

TheverysightofTirunavukkarasarenragedthekingwhoaskedtheJainheadstodecide upontheproperpunishmenttobemetedouttohim.Theysuggestedthathebethrownintoa burninglimekiln.Accordingly,hewasshutupinakilnforsevendays.Heremainedthere,fixing hismindontheLordandrepeatingHisName.ByHisgrace,theheatofthekilnwastransformed intoacoolbreeze.Attheendofsevendays,theJains,totheirsurprise,foundTirunavukkarasar alive,andabsorbedindeepmeditation.Theyattributedthistothepoweracquiredbyhimwhenhe wasaJain:andadvisedthekingtopoisonhim.Again,bythegraceofLordSivathepoisonwas transformedintonectar.Again,theJainsattributedthistotheefficacyoftheJainMantraswhich Tirunavukkarasarhadlearntfromthem,andadvisedthekingtohavehimtrampledbytheelephant.

Tirunavukkarasar,boldlyfacingtheelephantsangahymninpraiseoftheLord.Tirunavukkarasar’s lovinglooktransformedtheelephant’snatureanditwentroundhimandprostratedtohim.The Mahoutsgoadedit:butitgotwildandattackedtheMahoutsandtheJainsandkilledsomeofthem. Thosewhoescapedrantothekingandfellathisfeet.Thiswasagreatdisgrace.

Thekingwasgreatlyworried.TheJainsfinallyadvisedthekingtohaveTirunavukkarasar tiedtoastoneandthrownintothesea.Inaccordancewiththeking’sorders,thiswasdone.

TirunavukkarasarfixedhismindonLordSivaandwascontinuallyrepeatingthePanchakshara.He sanghymnsinpraiseofthePanchakshara.Assoonashefinishedthesongthestonebegantofloat.

Tirunavukkarasarsatonthestoneandwashappilyborneonthewavesandsafelytakentothe shoresofTiruppapuliyur.ThusdidtheLordsaveHisBhakta.

AtTiruppapuliyur,therewasahugecongregationofSivaBhaktastowelcomehim.He worshippedtheLordandsanghymnsinpraiseoftheLord.‘OhLord,theunseenProtector:Youare myguideandsaviour.Youaremyfather,mother,sisterandeverything.OhLordofMercy,You savedmefromalldangers.DuetoYourgraceandlovealoneIamalive.’Addressingthemind,he says:‘Ohmind,whenyouhavetotallysurrenderedyourselftoHim,whydoyoufearanydanger?

Nonecanharmyou.Fearnot.’Again,turningtotheLord,hesays:‘OhLordofMercy,Iwantno morebirth.IfItakebirthatall,owingtopastKarma,letmerememberYourNamealways.EvenifI takebirthasaworm,letmenotforgetYourName.LetmefinddelightinutteringYourName.’ ThenTirunavakkarasarreturnedtoTiruvathikai,aftervisitingmanyholyplacesontheway.When Pallavakingwhopersecutedhimcametoknowthis,andwhenherecalledthemanymiracleshehad witnessed,hewasconvincedofthesuperiorityofSaivism.HewenttoTiruvathikai,fellat Tirunavukkarasar’sfeet,andbeggedhispardon.Tirunavukkarasarembracedthekingwithalllove andaffection,andthekingembracedSaivismandbuiltthemagnificienttempleofSivacalled GunabharaveechuramatTiruvathikai.

TirunavukkarasarthenspenthisdaysinworshippingandservingtheLordinvariousways, tosetanexampleeventosaintsthattheyshouldnotrelaxtheireternalspiritualvigilance,lestthey shouldfallapreytoMayaandtoexhortthemtoleadtheideallifeofahumbledevoteeforthe guidanceofothers.Healsovisitedmanysacredshrines,thusemphasisingthegloryofpilgrimage.

ThethoughtthathehadlivedforsometimewiththeJains,eatingtheirfoodandmixingwith themmadeTirunavukkarasarfeelthathisbodywasstillimpure,fortheworshipofLordSiva.He prayedtoLordSiva:‘Idonotwanttoliveanymoreinthisimpurebody.Letmehavethestampof YourTridentandNandionmybody,andthenIshallregarditasfitforYourworship.’Atoncea divineservantofLordSivaapproachedTirunavukkarasarandputthestampoftheTridentand Nandi(oneoftheSaiviteritualsofinitiation,accordingtotheAgamas)onTirunavakkarasar’s shoulders.Heexperiencedsupremeblissimmediately.

TirunavukkarasarthenwenttoChidambaram.Theverysightofthetempletowersenthim intoatrance.Hesangthrillinghymnshereandprayed:‘LetmeserveYou.YourBhaktasknowno wantnorfear.EvenLordYamacannotdaretoapproachthem.IhavecometoYourAbodewhere nosincanapproach.IhavesurrenderedmyselftoYou.IhaveenshrinedYourLotusFeetinmy heart.’

AtChidambaram,heheardofthegloryofTiruJnanasambandarandhowhewasblessedby Parvathy.HewaseagertomeetthegreatsaintwhowasatShiyali.AsTirunavukkarasarwas proceedingtowardsShiyali,Sambandaralsowashappyandwaseagerlylookingforwardtothis meeting.WhenTirunavukkarasarreachedtheoutskirtsofShiyali,Sambandarwentforwardto receivehim.Theyfellateachother’sfeet,andsetanexampleinsaintlyconduct.Theywenttothe templeandworshippedtheLord.AtSambandar’srequest,Tirunavukkarasarsangahymnhere:

‘WhenthewholeworldwassubmergedduringPralaya,LordThoniapparwasseatedwithHis ConsortintheboatofPranava(OM)surroundedonallsidesbyDevasintheformofbirds.’Even nowthetempleofLordThoniapparisintheformofaboat.TheywhoclingtoHisfeetare protected.

AlongwithSambandarTirunavukkarasarvisitedthetempleatTirukkolaka.Hethentook leaveofSambandarandleftthelatter’sAshramandaftervisitingmanyshrines,reached Tiruvavaduthurai.HesangahymnhereexpressingintenseVairagya:‘OhLord,Iamcaughtinthe wheelofbirthsanddeaths.Iamtiredofthis.Showmeawaytogetoutofit.’

ThenhecametoSattimutham.HeprayedtotheLord:‘OhLord,placeThyLotusFeeton myheadbeforeIleavethisbody.’TheLordsaid:‘CometoTirunallur.Iwillfulfilyourwish.’ TirunavukkarasaraccordinglywenttoTirunallurandworshippedtheLordWhoplacedHisFeeton theheadofAppar.Hesang:‘OhLord,ThyHolyFeetareadoredbymenonearthandthegodsin heaven.EvengreatTapaswinscannottouchYourFeet,iftheirdevotiontoYouistainted.ButThey areeasilyaccessibletotherealdevoteeswhoservewithfaithanddevotion.ThesacrednessofYour divineFeetcannotbeunderstoodbyordinarymen.Theyarethebestowersofallprosperityand immortalbliss.’

Aftervisitingsomemoreplacesofpilgrimage,TirunavukkarasarwenttoTingalur,where heformedamiracleandbroughtsaintAppudiAdigal’ssonbacktolife—weshallreadthisin AppudiAdigal’slife.

AtTiruvarur,hewasgivenarousingwelcomebytheSivaBhaktas.HehadtheLord’s Darshanthere.Hisheartwasoverflowingwithlove.Heshedtearsoflove.Hedancedinjoy.He wasimmersedindivinebliss.HesanghymnsexpressingregretforhismistakeinjoiningJainism. HefeltthathewouldhavebeenblessedwiththeLord’sDarshanearlierhadheremainedaSaivite andcarriedonHisworship,withdevotion.Healsosangahymnpraisingthesinceredevotionand greatnessofNamiNandiAdigalwholightedthelampwithwaterinthissacredshrinewhenhe couldnotgetoilanywhere.

ThenTirunavukkarasarwenttoTirupukalur,aftervisitingothershrinesontheway.Tiru JnanaSambandarwasthere,too,andthetwosaintsmeteachotherforthesecondtime.AtAppar’s instance,SambandarwenttoTiruvarurandhadtheLord’sDarshanthere.Boththesaintsremained atTirupukalurforsometime:andmanyothersaintstookthisgoldenopportunityofhavingthe DarshanofthesetwogreatAcharyas(spiritualpreceptors)together.TiruNeelakanthaNayanar, Siruthondar,MurugaNayanarandmanyotherscametoTirupukalur,andtheplacewasconverted intoadivinerealmduringthestayofthetwoAcharyas.

ThetwosaintsthenmovedontoTiruveezhimalai.Famineragedthereatthattime.Appar (anothernameforTirunavukkarasar)andSambandarweregreatlymovedbythesufferingofthe peopleandprayedtotheLordforrelief.TheLordpromisedtogivethemagoldencoineachevery day,withwhichtheycouldfeedthepeople.LordSivaplacedtwocoins,oneatthewesternentrance andtheotherattheeasternentrancetothetemple:theNayanarscollectedthecoinsandrelievedthe sufferingofthepeople.Thefaminesooncametoanend.Boththesaintspraisedthegloryofthe Lordandleft.

ThentheycametoTirumaraikaduorthepresentVedranyam.Onceuponatime,theVedas themselvesusedtoworshiptheLordhere.WhenpeopleneglectedthestudyoftheVedas,thiswas discontinued.Fromthattime,thedoorbywhichtheVedasusedtoenter,remainedclosed.There wasanotherdoorbywhichpeoplewouldgoinandworship.ApparandSambandarheardofthis whentheycamethere.Sambandardesiredtoenterthroughthedoorwhichremainedclosed.He requestedAppartosingasong.Thedoorsopenedbythemselves,bytheWillofGod.Theywentin andworshippedtheLord.Whentheyreturnedtothatentrance,ApparrequestedSambandartosing asong,sothatthedoorcouldcloseagain.Sambandarsangandthedoorclosedagain.Atnightone day,LordSivaappearedandcommandedAppartocometoTiruvaimoore.TheLordappeared

beforehimandwalkedinfrontofhim.ApparfollowedHim,butcouldnotapproachHim.Suddenly theLordenteredthelocaltempleanddisappeared.Apparwentinsidethetemplebutcouldnotfind theLord.Inthemeantime,Sambandar,learningofAppar’sdeparture,followedhimandcameto thetemple.ApparentreatedtheLordtoblessSambandarwithHisDarshan.TheLordfulfilled Appar’swish.Then,theywenttoTiruvaimooreandfromtherereturnedtoTirumaraikadu.

MangayarkarasiarandKulachiraiNayanar,thequeenandtheministerofthePandyanking, sentmessengersfromMaduraitoSambandar,reportingtheevilinfluencesoftheJainsandurging forhisimmediatepresenceinMadurai.Sambandarwantedtogothereimmediately.Appar,inthe meantime,toldhimofallthathappenedtohimandtriedtostophimfromgoing.But,sogreatwas Sambandar’seagernesstoservetheLord,thathewent.

TirunavukkarasarthenvisitedTiruvavaduthurai,andcametoPazhaiyarai.Herehecameto theVadathalaitempleandworshippedtheLordfromoutside.HecametoknowthattheJainshad convertedthisintoaJaintemple,andthattheyhadremovedtheSivaLingamtoanunknownplace. HeprayedtotheLord:‘OhLord,IwillnotproceedaninchfromheretillIhavetheDarshanofYour imagewhichhasbeenremovedbytheJainstoanunknownplace.’TheLordappearedbeforethe kinginhisdreamandsaid:‘Ohking,MyBhaktaTirunavukkarasarisfasting,tohaveMyDarshan. GoatonceanddriveouttheJains,sothatTirunavukkarasarcouldenterthetempleandhaveMy Darshan.’HealsotoldthekingwheretheLingamlayhidden.

Thekingwokeupandimmediatelysummonedhisministers.Hewenttothetemple,drove awaytheJainsandfellatthefeetofTirunavukkarasar.Thetemplewasimmediatelyreconverted intoaSivatempleandtheLingaminstalledonceagain.TirunavukkarasarworshippedtheLordand washappy.

Duringanotherpilgrimage,Tirunavukkarasarfeltthepangsofhungerashewas approachingTirupainjeeli.LordSivawantedtoappeasehishungerandthirst.Hecreatedatankand agardenontheway,sothatTirunavukkarasarcouldquenchhisthirstandrestinthegarden.The LordHimselfwaitedthereintheguiseofaBrahmin,withfoodinhandandgaveitto Tirunavukkarasarassoonashearrivedthere.Appartookthefood,drankthewaterandwasresting whentheBrahminenquiredwherehewasgoing.

HesaidthathewasgoingtoTirupainjeeli.Theybothstartedtowalk.Whentheywerenear theplace,theBrahminsuddenlydisappeared,andApparunderstoodthatitwasnoneotherthanthe LordHimself.HeweptbitterlyfornotrecognisingHimearlierandrolledonthegroundonaccount ofHisseparation.

AftervisitingTiruvannamalai,Kancheepuram,andKalahasthi,wherehesangthegloriesof Kannappar,ApparfeltadesiretogotoKailasa.HewenttoBanaras,andworshippedLord Viswanath.Heturnednorthwardsandcrossedmanythickforestsinfestedbywildanimals.Byhis merelook,thewildanimalsbecametame!Hewalkednightandday.Hisfeetweresore.Thenhe crawledwithhishands.Hiselbowsbegantobleednow.Thenheusedhischestandcrawledon.His chestalsobegantobleedandtheribsbegantobreak.Still,Appar,undaunted,continuedhisjourney toKailasa,rollingontheground.ApparwantedtogotoKailasa:buttheLordwantedthatheshould liveintheworldformanymoreyearssingingHisglories.TheLordcreatedatanknearbyand

appearedbeforeApparintheformofasaint,withmattedlocks,Rudrakshamandholyashes.The saintfoundoutfromApparthathewasproceedingtoKailasa,andsaid:‘Ohfriend,theLordof Kailasacannotbeseenbyhumanbeings.So,turnback.’Apparsaid:‘SolongasIhavethisbody,I willnotturnback,withoutgoingtoKailasa,’andturnedtowardsthesaintagainafterbowingto him:butthesaintwasnotthere.ApparunderstooditwastheLordHimself.TheLordafterwards keptApparinvisiblecompany,givinghimencouragingwordsnowandthen.Apparmentally prayedtotheLord:‘OhLord,givemeafreshbody,sothatImaycontinuethejourney.’TheLord directedhimtotakebathinanear-bytankandsaid:‘YouwillseeMeandMyAbode,Kailasain Tiruvayar.’Appar,repeatingthePanchakshara,tookadipinthetank.Hecameoutofthetank,and foundhimselfinthetankatTiruvayar,hundredsofmilesaway,tothesouth!Hecameoutsideand saweverywhereSivaandSakti.HeenteredthetempleandsawMountKailasathere.HesawLord SivaseatedwithMotherParvathy,surroundedbygods,andcelestialservantspraisingHisglory. HewentintoatranceandsangHisgloriesanddanced.

Then,ApparhadaMuttbuiltforhimatTirupoonthuraiandremainedthere.Sambandar had,inthemeantime,defeatedtheJainsatMaduraiandwascomingtoTirupoondurai.Apparwent forwardtoreceivehim.WithoutSambandar’sknowledge,Apparquietlyjoinedthosewhowere carryinghispalanquin.OnreachingTirupoonthurai,Sambandarcriedout:‘WhereisAppar?’and Appar,frombelowthepalanquincoollyannouncedhimself.AtonceSambandarjumpedoutofthe palanquinandfellatthefeetofApparwhohad,byhisexample,demonstratedthehumilityofatrue saint.Theyembracedeachotherandshedtearsoflove.(Incidentally,itisinterestingtonotethat ApparwasadvancedinageandSambandarwasonlysevenyearsoldatthetime.)

Then,TirunavukkarasarwantedtoseethestateofSaivisminthePandyankingdom,for himselfandleftforMadurai.Theking,NinraSheerNedumaraNayanar,thequeen Mangayarkarasiar,andtheministerKulachiraiNayanarwelcomedhimwithdevotion.Appar remainedthereforsomedays,worshippingtheLord.ThenhewenttoRameswaramandother sacredplacesbeforereturningtoTirupukalur.

LordSivawantedtotesthimhere.WhenApparwasdoinghisservicesinthetemple,the Lordmadetheentirefloorappearasthoughitwasstrewnwithgoldanddiamonds.ToAppar,gold anddiamondswereworthless‘straw’.Hecollectedallofthemandthrewtheminanear-bytank. Again,theLordmadecelestialdamselsappearbeforehimandtempthimwiththeircharms.Appar remainedundisturbed.HisentireheartandsoulwascentredontheLotusFeetoftheLord.

Apparspenttherestofhislifethereandattheageof81mergedhimselfinLordSiva.

22.KULACCHIRAINAYANAR

IndevotiontoSivaBhaktas,KulacchiraiNayanarexcelled.HewasborninManamerkudi, inthePandyankingdom.ThisplacewasfrequentlygracedbySivaBhaktas.KulacchiraiNayanar wastheleaderaswellasthesupporterofthepeople.TohimadorationofSivaBhaktaswasequalto adorationofLordSivaHimself.HesawnodifferencebetweenSivaBhaktasandSiva.

HewasthePrimeMinisterofthePandyanking.Yet,heregardedhimselfastheslaveof SivaBhaktas.Hewastherichestmanintheplace:yet,tohimwealthwasonlydust.Nothing

belongedtohim:itwasthepropertyofSivaBhaktas.EvenSambandarextolledhisvirtuous qualitiesinasong.

Nayanarwasanablesoldierandadministrator.Yet,hismindwaseverabsorbedintheLord. HehelpedthequeeninstemmingthetideoftheevilinfluenceofJainism.Nayanarinvited SambandartoMaduraitofightthisevilinfluence.TheJainssetfiretoSambandar’scamp. Sambandarsangasong.Thefirewasextinguished.ThePandyankinghadhighfever,whichthe Jainscouldnotcure,butwhichwascuredbythesacredashwhichSambandarappliedonhim. SambandararguedwiththeJainsanddefeatedthem.KulacchiraisentthedefeatedJainstothe gallows.HeservedtheSivaBhaktasandfinallyattainedSiva’sAbode.

23.PERUMIZHALAIKURUMBANAYANAR

GuruisGod.ThesameLordWhoisneverseparatefromus,Whoisoursustainerand supportappearstousasthevisibleformoftheGuru.HewhoadorestheGuruwithfaithand devotionwillattainallSiddhis(psychicpowers)andeternalbliss.PerumizhalaiKurumbaNayanar excelledinGuruBhakti.HewasanardentdevoteeofLordSivaandSivaBhaktas,too.Heheardof SundaramurthiNayanar’sgreatnessandmentallyacceptedhimashisGuru.Tohim,Sundararwas thesolerefuge.HeadoredtheGuruinthought,wordanddeed.BytheGuru’sgrace,heattainedall theSiddhis.HewasimmersedinSivaBhaktiandGuruBhakti.

Inthemeantime,SundararcametoTiruvanchaikalamfromwherehewastakentothe Lord’sAbode.KurumbaNayanar,throughhisYogicpowers,cametoknowthatthiswouldhappen. HedidnotliketoremaininthisworldaftertheGuru:and,therefore,throughthemethodofSiva Yoga,NayanarcastoffhismortalcoilandreachedtheAbodeofSiva,adaybeforeSundarar’s departure.

24.KARAIKALAMMAIYAR

PunithavathiarasKaraikalAmmaiyarwascalled,wasborninaVaisyafamily.Herfather wasDanadathan.Hewasawealthymerchant.Hewasveryvirtuous,too.Heandhisdutifulwife prayedtotheLordforachild,andthechildtheLordblessedthemwiththeycalledPunithavathy. Fromherchildhood,PunithavathyhadanintenseloveforLordSivaandHisBhaktas.Shewas marriedtoParamadattan,awealthyVaisya.Bothofthemwereleadinganidealhouseholder’slife.

OnedayParamadattansenttwomangoestohishouse.Punithavathykeptthemsafelysothat shecouldserveherhusbandwiththematmeal-time.Inthemeantime,aSivaYogiappearedbefore her.Hewashungryandcompletelyexhausted.Punithavathyworshippedhimandofferedhim Bhiksha.Shehadnothingtogivehim,exceptthemangoes.Shegaveonetotheguest.Atmidday Paramadattancametothehouse.Thewifeservedhimwithonemango.Helikedit,andaskedfor theother.Shewasupset.SheappealedtotheLordforhelp.Whenshefinishedherprayer, mysteriouslyamangofellonthepalmofherhand.Shegaveitherhusband.Hetastedit.Itwas exceptionallysweet.Heaskedhertotellhimfromwhereshegotit,ashewasquitesureitwasnot themangohehadsent.Punithavathytoldhimthewholetruth.Paramadattan,however,wouldnot believethisandchallengedhertoproduceanother.SheprayedagaintotheLord.Anothermango appearedonherpalm.Shegaveittohim.But,atonceitdisappearedfromhishand.Hewas

astounded.Heunderstoodthegreatnessofhiswife.Hefeltthatitwasagreatsintolivewithheras herhusband.Onthepretextofgoingtoaforeigncountryfortrade,hesailedwithashiploadof goods.Onreturn,heestablishedhimselfinabigcityinthePandyankingdom.HemarriedaVaisya girlandlivedhappily.HehadadaughterbyherandhenamedherPunithavathy,afterhisfirstwife.

Punithavathiyar’srelativescametoknowofherhusband’swhereaboutsandtookheralso thereinapalanquin.WhenParamadattanheardthatPunithavathywascomingtohim,he,withhis secondwifeandchild,wentforward,andfellatPunithavathy’sfeet.Whenthepeopledemandedan explanation,herevealedthatheregardedher,notashiswife,butasaGoddess.Punithavathy understoodhismentalcondition,andprayedtotheLord:‘Inthatcase,OhLord,deprivemeofthe presentphysicalcharmandletmehaveademonaicalform.’Herprayerwasimmediatelygranted andhercharmingbodywastransformedintoaskeleton.

ThenshewentonapilgrimagetotheholyKailasa.Feelingthatitwouldbeagreatsinto placeherfootonthosesacredgrounds,shemadethelastpartofthejourneyonherhead.Mother ParvathywassurprisedtoseePunithavathy’sstrangeformandherwonderfuldevotion.LordSiva toldherofAmmaiyar’sgreatness.WhenshewentnearHim,LordSivawelcomedherwithextreme loveandgrantedaboontoher.ShefellatHisFeet,andprayed:‘OhLordofMercy,givemesincere, pure,unalloyed,eternalandoverflowingdevotionuntoYou.Iwantnomorebirth.If,however,I havetotakebirthhere,grantmethatIshouldneverforgetYou.WheneverYoudance,Imustbeat YourfeetsingingYourpraise.Thisismyonlywish.’LordSivagrantedtheboonandaskedherto proceedtoTiruvalangadutowitnessHisdance.Shewenttothatplaceandspentherlifesingingthe praiseofLordSiva.

25.APPUDDINAYANAR

IndevotiontotheGuru,AppudiNayanarexcelled.HewasanardentSivaBhakta.Hewas leadingtheidealhouseholder’slife.HebelongedtoaBrahminfamilyinTingalurintheChola kingdom.

AppudihadheardofthegloriesofTirunavukkarasarorAppar.HehadheardofhowGod’s gracemadethestonefloatandhowApparrodeonitandfloatedontheseaandwenttoaplaceof safety.EventhoughhehadnotseenAppar,hehadtakenhimashisGuru,andliterallyworshipped Appar.HeknewthatLordSivaHimself,outofcompassionforthespiritualaspirants,appearedas theGuru.HemeditatedonthelotusfeetoftheGuru.Hehadnamedallhischildren ‘Tirunavukkarasu’:andallthehouseholdarticleshadalsobeennamedaftertheGuru.Hehad erectedanumberofwater-sheds,fortheserviceofpilgrims,andhadnamedallofthemafterthe Guru.ThushadheensuredthathewouldconstantlyremembertheGuru,andexperiencehisgrace.

ApparhimselfpassedthroughTingaluroneday.Hewentintooneofthewater-sheds.He wassurprisedtoseehisownnameeverywhere.Hefoundoutfromsomeotherpilgrimsthattheshed hadbeenerectedbyAppudiandwenttomeethim.AppudireceivedtheSivaBhakta(thoughhedid notknowwhoitwas)withgreatdevotion.Apparsaid:‘Ohnoblesoul,Ihaveheardalotaboutyour greatnessandglory.Iwantedtopaymyrespectspersonallytoyou.Pleasetellme,whyhaveyou namedthewater-shedaftersomebody,andnotyourself.’Appudiwasupsetatthiscasualreference totheblessednameofhisGuru.Hesaid:‘Ohfriend,thoughyouappeartobeaSivaBhakta,youdo

notseemtoknowTirunavukkarasuSwamigal,whothroughthegraceoftheLordwithstood successfullyallthepersecutionsofthePallavakingandre-establishedSaivism.Haveyounotheard howthekingtiedhimtoastoneandthrewhimintothesea,andhowhefloatedbacktotheshore? Whoareyou?’

ApparwasverymuchmovedbyAppudi’sdevotionandreplied:‘Iamthathumblesoulwho fellavictimtoseverecolicandthentookshelterundertheLord’sFeet.Iamthathumblesoulwho, duetothegraceofLordSiva,gotcuredofthatdiseaseandreturnedtoSaivism.’Lookatthe differencebetweenthetwodescriptions!AppudiremembersthegloryofAppar:whereasAppar choosestorecallhisownfailing(topreservehishumility)andtheLord’ssupremesavinggrace.

Assoonasheheardthis,AppudiunderstoodthattheSivaBhaktawasnoneotherthan Apparandwasoverjoyed.HeworshippedAppar,alongwithhiswifeandprayedtoAppartoaccept hisBhiksha(food).Whiletheirsonhadgonetothegardentobringabananaleaf,forAppartouseas hisplate,theboywasbittenbyacobra.ThesonofaNayanar:hewasalsoagreatdevoteeofthe Lord!Herantothemothereagertofulfilhisduty.Hehandedtheleaftohismotherand immediatelyfelldowndead.AppudididnotwanttoletthisdisturbhisworshipofApparSwamigal: and,therefore,hidthecorpse.HeinvitedAppartohavehismeal.Apparsatdownandblessed AppudiandhiswifewithBhasma,andthencalledfortheirson.Appuditactfullyreplied:‘Heisnot inapositiontocome.’ApparsensedthattherewassomethingwrongandaskedAppuditotellhim thetruth.Appudiinformedhimwhathadhappened.ImmediatelyAppargotupandaskedAppudi tolaythecorpseinfrontofthetemple:andhehimselfsangasong.Amiracletookplace.Theboy gotup,asiffromsleep.Allwerehappy,excepttheparentsoftheboy.Theyregrettedthatthis incidenthadcausedsomedelayinApparhavinghismeals!Suchisthenatureoftruedevotion. Apparimmediatelytookhismealsandblessedthefamily.

ApparlivedinAppudiAdigal’shouseforsometime.AppudigainedthegraceoftheLord, byhiswonderfuldevotiontohisGuru,ApparSwamigal.

26.TIRUNEELANAKKANAYANAR

TirusattamangaiwasanimportantcityintheCholakingdom.Itwasaplacefullofspiritual vibrationsandSivaBhakti.TheBrahminsweredevotedtothestudyandrecitationoftheVedasand worshipoftheLord.And,thewomenweredevotedtotheirlord(thehusband)andservedthemas theywouldserveGodHimself.ItissituatedsevenmileseastofNannilam.Thereisatempleinthis placecalledAyavanthi.TheLordpresidingoverthisisAyavanthi-Nathar.HisConsortis MalarkanniAmmai.

InthiscitytherelivedthegloriousBrahmin,TiruneelanakkaNayanar.Hewaswellversed intheAgamasandwasregularinhisritualisticworshipoftheLord.OnaTiruvathiraidayhewas devoutlyworshippingtheLordinthetemple.Hiswifewasalsowithhim.Aspiderfelluponthe SivaLingam,whentheworshipwasinprogress.Thesaint’swife,withoutamoment’shesitation, blewitaway,andspatonthespotwhereithadfallen,ontheSivaLingam—thisiswhattheydo whenaspiderfallsonthebodyofachildorotherhumanbeing.But,thehusbandwasenragedatthe wife’ssacrilegiousaction:shehadspoilttheworshipandpollutedthetemplebyspittingonthe Lingam.Withoutasecondthought,heabandonedherandreturnedhome.

TheladyappealedtoLordAyavanthinatharforhismercy.Heappearedinthesaint’sdream thatnightandshowedhimHisbody—allthepartsofHisbodyexceptthatonwhichhiswifehad spat,hadbeenaffectedbythespiderpoison.HerealisedthatBhaktiwassuperiortoritualistic worship.HerecalledtheglimpseoftheLordhehad,inhisdreamandrejoiced,rolledontheground, weptoutofsheerjoyanddanced.ThenextmorninghewenttothetempleandworshippedtheLord, andreturnedhomewithhiswife,thenobledevoteetowhomtheSivaLingamwasnotastone,buta LivingPresence.

OnceTiruJnanaSambandarvisitedhisplacewithTiruneelakantaPerumbanarandVirali. TiruneelanakkaNayanarwasveryeagertomeetthegreatsaintSambandar.Hewelcomedthesaint withduehonours.Thatnight,SambandaraskedTiruneelanakkartogivesomeaccommodationto theothertwowhowerewithhim.Theywerenotofthe‘high’(Brahmin)caste!Tiruneelanakka Nayanarhesitatedtoletthemsleepinsidethehouse.Heaskedthemtosleepnearthesacrificialpit. Assoonastheywentnearthepit,theNayanarwasastoundedtoseethatthesacrificialfirebeganto burnofitsownaccord.Heunderstoodthat,throughthefireoftheirdevotiontheyhadattainedtoa stagewhichwasfarhigherthanwhatmereritualcouldleadto.Themistofcastedistinctionalso vanishedfromtheeyesofNayanar.Nextmorning,Sambandarwenttothetempleandsangasong inwhichheglorifiedTiruneelanakkaNayanaralso.WhenSambandarwantedtoleavetheplace, Tiruneelanakkaralsowantedtoaccompanyhim:butSambandarinstructedhimtostaythereitself andservetheSivaBhaktas.Heobeyed.

Hewas,however,longingtobealwaysatthefeetofSambandar.Soonhiswishwas fulfilled.HeheardofSambandar’smarriage,andwenttoNallurPerumanamtowitnessit.When SambandargotmergedintheLightofLordSiva,TiruneelanakkaNayanaralsogotmergedinit.

27.NAMINANDIADIGAL

InEmaperurintheCholakingdomtherelivedaBrahmincalledNamiNandiAdigal.Daily heusedtogotoTiruvarurandworshipLordSiva,hissolerefuge.Oneday,hefeltanintensedesire tolightmanylampsinthetemple,whichisanacthighlyextolledintheSivaAgamas.So,Nandi Adigalwenttoanear-byhouseandaskedfor ghee tolightthelampswith.ItwasaJain’shouse:and theJainsaidscornfully:‘Ihaveno ghee:ifyouaresoeager,youmayaswellusewater,instead.’ NandiAdigalwasfilledwithanguishtohearthis.HewenttothetempleandprayedtotheLord.He heardavoice:‘Don’tgrieve.Bringwaterfromthenear-bytankandlightthelampswithit.’With greatjoyNandiAdigaldidso.ThroughthesupremegraceoftheLord,allthelampsburned brightly!AlltheJainswereamazedtowitnessthismiracle.NandiAdigaldidsoonseveraldays continuously.Bythattime,people’sfaithinJainismwaslostthroughthemiraclesofNandiAdigal ofTiruvarur.PeopleembracedSaivism.

TheCholaking,hearingofNandiAdigal’sgreatness,appointedhimastheheadofthe temple.HeusedtocelebratethePanguniUttaramfestivalonagrandscale.TheLordwouldbe takentoaplacecalledTirumanaliwherepeopleofallcasteswouldflockaroundandworshipHim. Ononesuchoccasion,afterfinishinghisduties,Nandireturnedhome.Feelingthatthetouchof peopleofallcasteshadpollutedhim,hedidnotenterthehouseanddotheusualworshipbeforehe wenttobed.Heaskedhiswifetobringsomewatersothathecouldbatheandthenenterthehouse. But,beforethewatercame,hewasoverpoweredbysleep.Inadream,LordSivasaid:‘OhNandi!

AllthosewhoareborninTiruvaruraremy Ganas (servants).Theycannotberegardedasimpure. Youyourselfwillseethiswithyourowneyes.’NandiAdigalwokeupfromsleepandtoldallthisto hiswife.Herepentedforhiswrongnotion.Heatonceperformedtheworship.Inthemorninghe wenttoTiruvarur.TherehesawthatallthepeoplewhowereborntherehadthesameformasLord SivaHimself.NandiAdigalprostratedbeforethemall.Theyresumedtheiroriginalforms:Nandi AdigalunderstooditwastheLilaoftheLord.

Then,NandiAdigalsettleddowninTiruvarur.HeservedtheLordandHisBhaktasso nicelythatApparpraiseshimas ‘Anipon’ (puregold).Ultimatelyheattainedthegloriousrealmof theLord.

28.TIRUJNANASAMBANDAR

InsacredSirkali(which,accordingtoalegendwasthe Noah’sArc duringacosmic dissolution)therelivedapiousBrahminbynameSivapadaHridayarwithhisvirtuouswife Bhagavathiar.BothofthemwereardentdevoteesofLordSiva.TheyrefusedtoembraceJainism andgiveupSaivism,eventhoughtheforcesofJainismwerepowerfulanddevastating.Sivapada HridayarprayedtotheLordfortheboonofaworthysontohimwhowouldreestablishthegloryof Saivism.TheLordgrantedthisboon,andBhagavathiarsoonbroughtintothisworldaradiantmale child.Theybroughtupthischildwithgreatloveanddevotion,knowingfullywellthatitwasa purposefulgiftfromtheLord.Thechild,too,wouldweepforhisseparationfromhisdivineparents LordSivaandParvathy,thoughordinarypeoplemistookitforababy’scryinghabit.

OnedaySivapadaHridayarandhiswifetookthechildwiththemtothetempletankin whichtheywantedtobathe.Thechildhadinsistedonbeingtakenwiththem.Theyleftthechildon thebankandwentintobathe.Thechildlookedatthetowerofthetempleandbegantocryfor his parents.Thisoutwardlyappearstobeamerechildishaction,buttheLordknewitsinnermeaning. LordThoniapparwantedtoblessthechild.So,HeappearedwithMotherParvathyandaskedHerto feedthechildwiththemilkofdivinewisdom.ToobtainHisgraceanddivineknowledge,thegrace oftheMotherisnecessary,MotherParvathyfondledwiththechildandsuckledhimwiththeMilk ofWisdom.Fromthatmomenthewasknownas AludaiyaPillayar oronewhoenjoysthe protectionoftheLord:andalsoas TiruJnanaSambandar asheattaineddivinewisdomthroughthe graceofLordSivaandParvathy.FromthemomenthedranktheMilkofWisdom,hebegantosing soul-stirringsongsinpraiseofLordSiva.ThecollectionofthesesongsiscalledThevaram.

Afterfinishingtheirbath,theparentscametothechild,andfoundagoldencupinhishands (thecupinwhichParvathygavehimthemilk)andmilkoverflowingfromhismouth.Sivapada Hridayarthoughtthatsomebodyhadgivenmilktothechild:hedidnotlikethathischildshould acceptmilkfromallsortsofpeople.So,hebrandishedacanebeforethechildandaskedhimwho gavethemilk.Thechild,sheddingprofusetears,pointedtotheLordWhoappearedintheskyalong withMotherParvathy.HealsosangasonginpraiseoftheLord.SivapadaHridayarcouldnotsee theLord,butguessedfromthechild’sbehaviourthathemusthavehadavisionoftheLord.He followedthechildintothetemple,ashewenttowardsit.Manydevoteeshadalsocometothe temple.TheyhadcometoknowofwhathadhappenedtoPillaiyarandglorifiedhim.Theparents wereveryhappy.Theytookthechildontheirshouldersandwentroundthetowninaprocession. ThepeoplehaddecoratedthetownnicelyandreceivedSambandarwithgreatdevotion.

ThenextdayPillaiyarwenttoTirukkolakkaandsangasong,clappinghishandstokeep time.LordSiva,pleasedwiththis,presentedhimwithapairofgoldencymbals.Sambandarbegan tosing,withthehelpofthegoldencymbals.EvenNaradaandthecelestialswerecharmedbythis.

Sambandarthenwentonpilgrimages.OnceTiruNeelakantaYazhpanar,anardentdevotee oftheLordandanexpertmusicianontheYazh(Veena)metSambandar.Theyallwenttothe temple.SambandarrequestedYazhpanartoplaytheYazh.Themusicmeltedtheheartof Sambandar.YazhpanarwantedtobealwayswithSambandar,toplayonhisinstrumentthesongs thatSambandarsanginpraiseoftheLord.Sambandargrantedthiswish.

SambandarwentonapilgrimagetoChidambaran.TheverysightoftheLordentranced him.HehadheardaboutthegreatnessoftheBrahminsofTillai(Chidambaram).Tohim,they actuallyappearedasSivaGanas(celestialservantsofLordSiva).HeshowedthistoYazhpanarand theywerethrilled.TheBrahminsfellathisfeet.Beforetheydidso,Sambandarhadfallenattheir feet!

Aftervisitingthebirth-placeofYazhpanar,SambandarwantedtogotoTiruArathurai.He wouldsometimeswalkandatothertimessitonhisfather’sshoulders.Inthismannerthey approachedMaranpadi.Theywerealltiredduetotheheatofthesunandthearduousnessofthe journey.TheyrestedatMaranpadiforthenight.

TheLordwantedtoalleviateHischild’ssufferingbypresentinghimwithapalanquin.He appearedinthedreamoftheBrahminsofTiruArathuraiandtoldthemthattheywouldfindapearl palanquinandapearlumbrella,andaskedthemtotakethemtoSambandarwhowasthen proceedingtowardsTiruArathurai.Atthesametime,theLordappearedinSambandar’sdreamand informedhimofthegift!Thenextmorning,theBhaktashandedovertoSambandartheLord’sgifts tohim.Sambandarworshippedthegiftsandascendedthepalanquin.

SambandarreturnedtoSirkali,aftervisitinganumberofshrinesontheway,andsinging PadigamsinpraiseoftheLordeverywhere.Hisparentsperformedthesacredthreadceremony.The BrahminsthenbegantoteachhimtheVedas.But,evenbeforehearingtheVedasfromtheteacher, Sambandarcouldrecitethem,onaccountofpreviousSamskarasanddivinegrace.Then SambandartaughtthemtheessenceofthePanchaksharaandalsosangaPadigam.Itwasatthistime thatTirunavukkarasaralsometSambandar.

Duringthecourseofhispilgrimage,SambandarcametoTiruPachilasramam.Thedaughter oftheMazhavaKingthere,whowasagreatdevoteeofLordSiva,wassufferingfromanincurable disease.Thekinghad,indespair,takenhertothetempleandplacedherinfrontoftheLord.Atthe sametime,Sambandarhadcomeintothetemple.Hesawthepitiableconditionofthegirl,whowas lyingunconscious.HesangaPadigamprayingforHisgraceuponthegirl.Sheatoncegotuptothe surpriseofall.Allwereamazedatthismiracle.

AtSenkunrur,duringhispilgrimage,Sambandarfoundthatthecoldwasverysevereand thatmanypeoplesufferedonaccountofit.Theyentreatedhimtoalleviatetheirsufferings. Sambandarsangasong,andimmediately,theywererelievedoftheirsuffering.

Aftersomemorepilgrimages,SambandarcametoTiruvavaduthurai.Hisfatherwantedto performabigYajna.Hewantedalotofmoneyforthat.Sambandarwenttothetempleandsanga song.AtonceaSivaGanaappearedbeforehim,handedhimapursecontainingonethousandgold coinsandsaid.‘ThispursehasbeengiventoyoubyLordSiva.’SambandarglorifiedtheLord’s grace,handedoverthepursetohisfather(whowentawaytoSirkali)withtheassurancethatit wouldgiveinexhaustiblewealth.

AtDharmapuram,whichwasthehomeoftheYazhpanar’smother,thepeopleglorified Yazhpanarforhisproficiencyinmusic.YazhpanarfeltthatitwasduetoSambandar’sgracethathe wasallowedtoaccompanySambandarandthathecouldreallynotreproduceontheYazhthe divinemelodyofthesaint’sPadigams.ToprovethisSambandarsangasonginpraiseofLord GanesawhichYazhpanarwasunabletoplayonhisinstrument.Hetriedtobreaktheinstrumentin desperation.But,Sambandarpreventedhimfromdoingso,andaskedhimtobecontentwithwhat hecouldachievewithit,assuringhimthatthatwasalot.

SambandarwenttoSattamangaiwherehewasreceivedbyTiruneelakantaNayanarwith greatloveanddevotion.SambandarsangaPadigaminwhichheglorifiedtheNayanar.AtTiru Keizhvelur,similarly,hemetSiruthondarandglorifiedhiminaPadigam.Suchisthenatureofthe trulygreatones:theyadoreevendevoteesoftheLordastheLordHimselfandsingtheirglories,not regardingthatasworshiporadorationofahumanbeing,butofmanifestdivinity.

Duringhisstaythere,SambandarwoulddailygotoTiruMarugaltoworshiptheLord.One dayamerchanthadcometherewithhiswife.Whentheywereasleep,apoisonoussnakebittheman andhedied.Doctorsfailedtorevivehim.ThewifeprayedtotheLordforHismercy.Atthattime Sambandarenteredthetempleandheardthewoman’swailing.Sambandarconsoledher,andshe narratedtohimherstoryandherpitiablecondition.Sambandarsangasong,andthemerchantat oncecamebacktolife!Allofthemworshippedthesaint’sholyfeet.

AttherequestofSiruthondar,SambandarwantedtohavetheDarshanoftheLordat Chenkattankudi.WhenhewastakingleaveoftheLord,HegavehimDarshanintheformasHeisin Chenkattankudi.Ontheway,SambandarstayedatTiruPukalurastheguestofMurugaNayanar, andsanghisglories.

AtthesuggestionofApparSwamigal,SambandarvisitedTiruvarurandhadDarshanof LordThiageesa.ThenboththesaintsstayedwithMurugaNayanarforsometime.Theythenwent toTiruKadavur,metKungiliyaKalayaNayanarandsanghisglories.

TheythencametoTiruveezhimizhalai.Duringtheirstaythere,theBrahminsofSirkalimet Sambandarthere,andpleadedthatheshouldgotoSirkaliandhavetheDarshanofLord Thoniappar.TheLordHimself,however,didnotwantHischildtoundertakethisjourney.Thenext morning,Sambandarwenttothelocaltempleforworship.TherehesawLordThoniapparseatedin frontofhim.HesangHisglories.HeinformedtheBhaktasofthisandsentthembacktoSirkali.

ApparandSambandarstayedatTiruveezhimizhalaiforsomemoretime.Therewasa severefaminethere.ApparandSambandarweremovedbythesufferingsoftheBhaktas.They offeredprayerstotheLordWhopromisedtogivethemsomegoldcoinsdaily,withthehelpof

whichtheycouldservethepeople.Bothofthemfoundagoldcoin,atdifferententrancestothe temple.Apparwasimmediatelyabletogetprovisionsforhisgoldcoin,whereasSambandarcould not.Hehadtoexchangehiscoinsforpuregoldcoins,beforehecouldobtaintheprovisions. SambandarunderstoodthatitwasbecauseofAppar’ssincereservicetotheLord,andsanga PadigampraisingtheLord.TheLordthengavehimalsopuregoldcoinsandhehadnodifficultyin gettingthefoodstuffs.

ThemiraclethattheyperformedatTirumaraikaduorVedaranyam,hasalreadybeen described,whiledealingwiththelifeofApparSwamigal.

Ashasalreadybeenstated,JaininfluencewasgrowinginMadura,andeventhekinghad succumbedtoit.Therewereonlytwopersonswhowerefreefromtheinfluence,andtheywerethe queenMangayarkarasiarandtheministerKulacchiraiNayanar.TheywereSaivitesbyinner conviction,thoughtheydidnotweartheexternalSaivitemarks,forfearoftheking’swrath.They hadheardthegloryofSambandar.So,withouttheknowledgeofthekingtheysentsomewisemen toTirumaraikadutopersuadeSambandartorescueSaivismfromtheJaininfluence.Sambandar informedApparofhisdesiretoleaveforMaduraimmediately.Appar,outofsheerloveforthe youngBoy,pleadedthatheshouldnotgo,but,realisinghisdivinenature,lethimgo!

TheJainslivingalloverthePandyankingdomsawmanyevilomens.Theyreportedtothe king.Atthesametime,MangayarkarasiarandKulacchiraisawmanygoodomensandwerehappy.

Bythistime,thenewsofthearrivalofSambandarreachedthequeenwhosenttheminister towelcomehim.SheherselfwenttothetempleandofferedspecialprayerstotheLord.The ministerwhoproceededtotheborder,heardthesoundoftrumpetsandchantingofVedas.Hewent towardsthatdirection.TheverysightoftheBhaktaswhowerecominginadvance,thrilledhim.He fellattheirfeetanddidnotgetupatall.ThedevoteescarriedthisnewstoSambandar.Sambandar gotdownfromhispalanquinandwenttoKulacchirai.Heliftedtheministerupandembracedhim. SambandarworshippedtheLordthemomenthebeheldthetempletowerfromagreatdistance.He sangthegloriesoftheministerandthequeen.Theywenttothetemple.Thequeen,standingonone side,offeredmentalprostrationstoSambandar.Then,shefellathisfeet.Sambandarblessedher.

ThenewsofSambandar’sarrivalhadreachedtheJains.Theholyvibrationsofthe Panchaksharapiercedtheirears.Theydecidedtobringthewrathofthekingonthosewho welcomedthesaint.TheytoldhimthattheyhadallbeenpollutedbythesightoftheSaiviteswho hadenteredthecity,followingthearrivalof‘oneyoungBrahminallegedtohavebeenblessedwith DivineKnowledgebyLordSivadirectlyandwhowantstodefeatusinareligiousdebate’.

Thekingtookcounsel.TheJainssoughthispermissiontoburnSambandar’scampwiththe helpofblackmagic.Hegavethempermission.But,itdidnotsucceed.Inthemeantime,seeingthe kingworried,thequeenascertainedthecause,andsuggestedthatboththerivalpartiesshouldbe invitedtoarguetheircaseandprovethesuperiorityoftheirownreligion.Thekingagreed.

TheJainsfailedtosetfiretoSambandar’scamp.So,theysetfiretothecampinwhichthe devoteeswerelodged.Theygotup,rantoSambandarandtoldhimwhathadhappened.Hesanga Padigamexpressingthewishthat(inaccordanceofthelawofKarma)thefireforwhichtheking

wasresponsibleshouldproceedtowardshim.Nextmorning,thenewsreachedthequeenandthe minister.Theyweregrieved.Theywantedtoputanendtotheirlives,butchangedtheirmindwhen theyheardthatnothinghadhappenedtoSambandarorthedevotees.AssoonasSambandarsang thePadigam,thefireinthecampdiedoutandproceededtowardstheking,intheformofadreadful disease.Thekingexperiencedburningsensationalloverthebody.Alltheendeavoursofthe doctorsandtheJainprieststoalleviatetheking’ssufferingprovedfutile.Thequeenandthe ministersunderstoodtherealcauseoftheking’sailmentandwereworried.Theyinformedtheking oftheirfeelingandrequestedhimtocallSambandarimmediatelysothathisgracemightrelieve himofthedistress.ThekingacceededtotheirrequestanddecidedtoembraceSambandar’sfaith,if hecouldcurethedisease.

Thequeenatoncewentout,surroundedbyhermaid-servants,toinviteSambandar. Kulacchiraiaralsowentaheadofher.TheyreachedtheMuttinwhichSambandarwasstaying. Theyfellathisfeetandinformedhimoftheking’scondition:‘TheatrocityoftheJainshadrecoiled onthekingwhoissufferingfromintenseagonywhichtheJainshavefailedtorelieve.Withfolded palmsweentreatyoutorelievehimofthedistress,andthendefeattheJainsinargumentand convincethekingofthesuperiorityofSaivism.’Sambandarassuredthemthathewouldfulfiltheir wishes.HewenttothetempletogettheLord’sblessingsfordefeatingtheJainsindebateand establishingSaivismintheland.

Followedbythequeenandtheminister,Sambandarwenttothepalace.Thekinghadhim receivedwithallthehonours.TheJainswereworriedandsuggestedknavishlythat,evenifhewas curedbySambandar,heshouldgivethecredittothemonly,forthepreservationofJainism!The kingrefusedtobeunjustandpartial.Sambandarcameintotheking’sapartments.Thekinghadhim seatedonanicelydecoratedthrone,whichgreatlyannoyedtheJains.Theychallengedhimtoa debate.ThequeenwasafraidthattheymightbehaveinanunrulymannertowardsSambandarwho wasbutaboyinage.Shesuggestedthattheking’sdiseaseshouldfirstbecured.Thekingagreedto this.Sambandaralsoassuredherthathewasnotafraidofanything.

Thekingaskedthetwopartiestodemonstratetheirpowersbycuringhisdisease.TheJains volunteeredtocurethediseaseontheleftside,leavingtherighttobedealtwithbySambandar.The kingagreed.TheJainstouchedvariouspartsoftheking’sbodywithpeacockfeathers,chanting theirMantras.Thepainonlyincreased!ThekinglookedpleadinglyatSambandar.Sambandarsang aPadigaminpraiseofthesacredAsh(Bhasma)andwithhisownhandsmearedtheAshontheright sideoftheking’sbody.Atoncetheburningsensationstoppedandthekingexperiencedacooling sensation.ThekingtoldtheJainsthattheyhadalreadybeendefeatedandturnedtoSambandarand entreatedhimtocurethediseaseontheleftsidealso.SambandarappliedtheholyAshontheleft sidealsoandthediseasevanishedcompletely.ThequeenandtheministerfellatSambandar’sfeet. Thekingfollowedsuitandpraisedhim.TheJains,however,attributedthecuretoSambandar’s poeticaltalents,andwerequitesurethathecouldnotdefeattheminphilosophicalarguments.They begantothinkofsomeothermeansofdefeatingSambandar.WhenSambandarinvitedthemto openthedebate,theysaidthattheypreferredpracticaldemonstrationtotheoreticaldiscussions. TheywantedtochallengeSambandartoafiretest.Theysaidthatboththepartiesshouldwritethe essenceoftheirrespectivereligionsonpalmleavesandputthemintofire:thatreligionshouldbe consideredastherealonewhoseinscriptionssurvivedthistest.Sambandaragreedtothecondition. Thefirewaslit.Sambandar,offeringhisprayerstotheLord,openedthebundleofpalmleaves

whichcontainedhissoul-stirringhymnsonLordSivaandremovedthePadigamwhichhehad composedatTiruNallaru.ToSambandar,LordSivawastheAbsoluteTruth,andso,thesongsung inpraiseofHim,shouldalsobeeternal.Withthefirmconvictionthatnoharmwouldcometothe palmleaf,heputitintothefire.TheJainsalsoputtheirwritingsintothefire.Thelatterwasatonce burnt:Sambandar’sleafwasquitesafe.TheJains,ashamedtofacetheking,droppedtheirgaze. ThekingdeclaredthattheJainshadbeendefeatedasecondtime.

TheJains,however,wouldnotagree,andwantedathirdtest.Thistimeboththeparties shouldthrowtheirpalmleavesintheriverVaigaiandthepalmleafwhichswamagainstthecurrent containedtheTruth.Sambandaragreedtothis,too.Thistime

Kulacchiraiyarintervenedandasked:‘Whatshouldbethepunishmenttobemetedoutto thepartythatfailsinthistest?’TheJains,intheiranger,saidthatthepartywhichfailsinthetest shouldbehanged.TheJainsthrewtheirpalmleafintotheriver:thecurrentwasswiftandtheleaf waswashedaway.Sambandarthrewhisleafwhichswambeautifullyagainstthecurrent,without sinkingorgettinglost.InthePadigamwhichwonthistest,SambandarinvokedtheLord’sgraceon theking.Onaccountofthis,theking’sbirth-deformity,viz.,ahunchbackwasalsocured.Theleaf reachedtheplaceknownasTiruvedagam.Theministerwantedtotakepossessionoftheleafand followedit.Knowingthis,Sambandarsanganothersong,whichstoppedtheleaf.Theministertook theleaf,wenttothetempleandworshippedtheLord.Sambandar,accompaniedbytheroyal couple,wenttothetempleandworshippedtheLord.Thekingwasconvincedofthesuperiorityof Saivism.TheJains,accordingtotheirowncontract,werehanged.Thepeoplefollowedtheexample ofthekingandbecameSaivites.ThuswasSaivismre-establishedinMadura.

InSirkali,Sambandar’sfatherwaswaitingfortheillustriousson’sarrival.Oneday,the desirewasstrongandSivapadaHridayarcametoMaduraandwasreceivedbySambandarwith greatreverence.

AfterstayingatMaduraforsometime,Sambandarproceededonapilgrimage, accompaniedbytheroyalcoupleandtheminister.FromRameswaram,theyofferedmental prostrationsattheFeetoftheLordofTirukonamalaiandTiruketheesvaram(inCeylon).Theyalso visitedthebirthplaceoftheminister.SambandartookleaveofthePandyankingandwentintothe Cholakingdom.

HecametoMullivaikarai.Theretheriverwasinflood.Theboatmenhadabandonedtheir boatsandhadleftthemtiedtothetreeonthebank.Sambandarwantedtocrosstheriverand worshiptheLordatTiruKollampoothur.Sambandaraskedthedevoteestounfastentheboatand getintoit.HesangaPadigam.Thisitselfprovedtobetheoar.Theyreachedtheothersidesafely andworshippedtheLord.

ThepartythenreachedtheplacecalledBodhimangai.ItwasaBuddhistcentre. Sambandar’sdevoteeswereblowingthetrumpetsandsingingtheirGuru’sgloriesastheyentered theplace.ThisannoyedtheBuddhistwhoaskedthemtostopblowingtheirtrumpets.Thedevotees informedSambandar.AdiscipleofSambandar,bynameSambaSaranalayar,whousedtorecord allofSambandar’ssongs,himselfsangaPadigamandsaidthatathundershouldfallontheheadof Buddhanandi,theleaderoftheBuddhists’group.Buddhanandiwasatoncedestroyedbyathunder.

Theothersfled.But,soontheyreappearedundertheleadershipofSariBuddhanandchallengedthe Saivitestoadebate.WiththeblessingsofSambandar,thediscipleSambaSaranalayarhimself defeatedtheBuddhistsindebate.SariBuddhanhimselfembracedSaivismandhisfollowers followedsuit.Sambandarblessedthemall.SambandarthenwenttoTirukadavur.Whenheheard thatApparSwamigalwasatTirupoonthurithi,Sambandarwentforwardtomeethim.Atthesame time,Apparcamehalf-waytowelcomeSambandar.Quietly,hegotmixedwiththecrowdand joinedthegroupofdevoteeswhowerecarryingSambandar’spalanquin,withoutanybody’s knowledge.WhenSambandarenquiredaboutAppar,Apparrespondedfrombelow:‘HereIam, carryingthepalanquin,duetothevirtuousdeedsofmanypastlives.’Sambandarwassurprised.He jumpeddownandembracedthegreatsaintAppar.

Aftersomemorepilgrimage,SambandarreturnedtoSirkali.TiruneelakantaYazhpanarand hiswifetookleaveofSambandarandreturnedhome.

SambandarwantedtovisitThondaiNadu.TakingleaveofLordThoniappar,heleftSirkali, andaftervisitingmanyshrinesontheway,reachedTiruAnnamalai.Theverysightofthehillsent himintoatrance.HerolledonthegroundandshedtearsofGod-love.ThenhereachedThondai NaduandcametoTiruvothur.Duringhisstaythere,aBhaktacametohimandsaid:‘Ihaveplanted manypalmirahtreesinmygarden,butallofthemaremaletreesandtheydonotyieldanyfruits. TheJainsaremockingatmeforthis.Pleaseprotectmefromtheirscorn.’Sambandarwenttothe templeandsangasongmentioningthedevotee’splight:andthemaletreeswereatoncechanged intofemaletreesandtheyyieldedgoodfruits.Duetothismiracle,somemoreJainsembraced Saivism.BecauseSambandarhadspecificallymentionedthepalmirahtrees,they,too,werehelped intheirevolution.

Bystages,SambandarreachedTiruAlankadu,theholyplacewhereKaraikkalAmmayar ‘walked’onherhead,notwishingtopollutetheplace.He,too,didnotentertheplace,buthadthe DarshanoftheLordinhisdream.SambandarthenwenttoKalahasthiandhadthevisionof KannappaNayanarandalsoofKailasa,Ketharam,Gokarnam,Tirupatham,IndraneelaParvatham, etc.SambandarthencametoTiru-Votriyur.

InMylaporetherelivedamerchantbynameSivanesar.HewasastaunchSivaBhakta.He hadallwealthbuthadnochildren.Inanswertohissincereprayer,LordSivablessedhimwitha femalechild.TheynamedherPoompavai.Shewasverybeautiful.SivanesarheardofSambandar’s greatnessandfeltthathewastheonlysuitablematchforhisdaughter.Mentally,hehadofferedher toSambandar.

OnedaywhenPoompavaiwasgatheringflowersinthegarden,shewasbittenbya poisonoussnakeandshedied.Sivanesanarevenannouncedthathewouldgiveanyamountof moneytoanyonewhowouldreviveher:butitwasofnouse.Thenherecollectedthathehad mentallyofferedhertoSambandar:thisputgreatcourageintohim.Heatoncecrematedthebodyof thegirl,collectedtheashesandpreservedtheminapot.Dailyhewoulddecoratethepotwith flowers,etc.,andsitnearitmeditatingonSambandar.ThenewsthatSambandarwasstayingat Tiruvotriyurreachedthemerchant.Atonceheerectedabig pandal fromMylaporetoTiruvotriyur andfollowedbyBhaktasbegantoproceedtowardsTiruvotriyurtomeetSambandar.Thelatteralso wascomingtowardsMylapore.Theymetontheway.SambandarhadheardaboutSivanesarand

hisworshipofthepotwhichcontainedtheashesofhisdaughter.HewantedtopleaseSivanesarby bringingthegirlbacktolife.TheyreachedMylapore,worshippedtheLord,sanghymnsand, comingoutofthetemple,askedSivanesanartobringthepotofashes.Sambandaraddressedthe pot:‘OhPoompavai,theverypurposeofhumanbirthinthisworldistoservetheLordandHis devotees,andtofeasttheeyesbyseeingthefestivalsofLordSiva.Ifthisistrue,ariseinthe presenceofall.Areyougoingawaywithoutseeingthefestival?’ThenhesangaPadigam.Whenhe finishedthefirststanza,Poompavaigotherform.Whenhefinishedeightstanzas,shegotherlife andbecameatwelveyearoldgirl.Whenhefinishedthetenthstanza,shecameoutofthepot,even asLakshmicameoutoftheLotus.Allwereamazedatthismiracle.SivanesanarandPoompavai worshippedSambandar’sfeet.SivanesanarentreatedSambandartoacceptthegirlashiswife. Sambandar,however,explainedthattheoriginalPoompavaiwhomSivanesanarhadmentally offeredtoSambandarwasdeadandthatthepresentgirlhadtherelationshipofdaughtertohim. SivanesanarhadtobowtothewishesofSambandar:hebuiltanAshramforhisdaughterwhereshe spentherdaysinworshipoftheLordandattainedHim.

Aftervistinganumberofshrines,SambandarreturnedtoSirkali.Hehadreachedhis sixteenthyear.Hisfatherwantedtogethimmarried.Hearguedthatitwasnecessaryforhimto engagehimselfintheperformanceofVedicrites.SivapadaHridayarselectedthedaughterof NambandarNambiofNallurPerumanam.He,too,welcomedthealliance.Theweddingwastotake placeatNallurPerumanam.Ontheappointedday,SambandartookleaveofThoniapparand reachedNallurPerumanam.Sambandarwenttothetemple,worshippedtheLordandgotHis blessings.ThenhewenttoaMuttnearby.Thebride’spartycametheretoreceivehim.Sambandar, inhisweddingdress,tookhisseatinthepearlpalanquin.Peopleaccompaniedhim,singing‘Long LiveSambandar.’Sambandarcametotheplacewheretheweddingwastotakeplace.Sambandar holdinghiswife’shand,wentroundthefire,themanifestationoftheLord.Accompaniedbythe devotees,thecouplewentintothetempleandworshippedHim,withtotalself-surrender. SambandarsangaPadigamprayingforLiberation.TheLordgrantedhiswishandsaid:‘Oh Sambandar,you,yourwife,andallthosewhowitnessedyourmarriagewillmergeintheSivaJyoti andcometoMe.’Atonce,aneffulgentLightemergedfromtheLord.BeforemerginginthatLight, SambandarsangaPadigamknownasthePanchaksharaPadigam.Thenallthosewhowerethere mergedintheLightofSiva.TiruneelakantaNayanar,MurugaNayanarandTiruneelakanta Yazhpanarwerealsothere!

29.EYARKONKALIKAMANAYANAR

InTiruperumangalaminPonniNadu,therewasaVellalabynameEyarkonKalikama Nayanar.Hebelongedtothefamilycalled‘Eyarkudi’whichproducedCommanders-in-Chiefto Cholakings.HewasagreatdevoteeofLordSiva.

ThenewsthatSundaramurthiNayanarhadusedLordSivaHimselfasamessengertosettle thedomesticdisputebetweenhimandhiswifeParavayar,sogreatlyannoyeddevoutKalikamanar thathesaidtohimself:‘Isthismanwhobehavedlikethisadevotee?Iamagreatsinner,too, otherwisemylife-breathwouldhavedepartedonhearingthenews.’Sundararcametoknowof Kalikamar’sattitude.HerealisedhisownfaultandentreatedtheLordtoappeaseKalikamar’s anger.TheLordcausedKalikamartosufferfromcolicandtoldhiminadreamthatonlySundarar couldcureit.KalikamarpreferreddeathtobeingcuredbySundarar!Inthemeantime,theLord

appearedinSundarar’sdreamandaskedhimtogotoKalikamarandcurehimofthecolic.Sundarar atoncewenttomeetKalikamar.AssoonasheheardthatSundararwascomingtocurehim, Kalikamargaveuphislifebycuttinghisbowelopen.

SundararwasgreetedbyKalikamar’swife.WhenheaskedforNayanar,shemadeher peoplesaythattherewasnothingwrongwithhimandthathewasasleep.Aftermuchpersuasion, theyshowedhimtheNayanar’sbody.Indesperation,Sundararalsowantedtocuthisthroat.Bythe graceofLordSiva,Kalikamaratoncecamebacktolife.Theyembracedeachother.Kalikamar spenttherestofhislifeintheserviceoftheLordandHisdevoteesandfinallyreachedHisAbode.

30.TIRUMULANAYANAR

TirumulaNayanarwasaSaivaSiddha.HewasoneoftheeightstudentsofTirunandiDevar WhoshoweredHisgraceonthem.TheywereallYogis.HewascalledTirumularbecausehe enteredintothemortalframeofMulan.

TirumulardesiredtoseeAgastyaRishiinPothiahills.SoheleftKailasaandwent southwards.Ontheway,hevisitedmanySaiviteshrines.WhenhecametoTiruvavaduthurai,he tookbathintheriverKaveriandwenttothetemple.Hewentroundthetempletwiceandoffered prayertotheLord.WhenhewaswalkingalongthebankofKaveri,hesawaherdofcowsshedding tears.Hefoundoutthecause:thecow-herdlaydead.Tirumularwantedtopacifythecows.He enteredthebodyofthecowherdaftersafelydepositinghisownbodyinthetrunkofatree.The cowsrejoicedagain.ThiscowherdwasknownasMulan,aresidentofSattanur.Intheevening,he drovethecowsbackintothevillage.Mulan’swifewaseagerlyexpectingthereturnofherhusband. But,whensheapproachedhimthatday,hewouldnotallowhertotouchhim,butsaid:‘Ohlady,I amnotyourhusband.AdoreLordSivaandattainLiberation.’Heleftherandwentawaytoa near-byMath.

Theladycomplainedtotheleadersoftheplace,abouttheconductofherhusband.They examinedhimandcametotheconclusionthathehadattainedgreatspiritualevolution.So,they askedhertoleavehimalone.Thenextday,Tirumularfollowedthecows,butcouldnotfindhis bodywherehehadleftit.ItwastheLord’sLila.LordSivawantedTirumulartowriteabookon SaivaPhilosophy,containingtheessenceofallSivaAgamas,inTamil.TirumularunderstoodHis wishandreturnedtoTiruvavaduthurai.HeworshippedtheLordandsatunderthenear-bypeepul treeindeepmeditation.HewasinSamadhiforthreethousandyears.But,everyyear,hewould comedownfromSamadhiandcomposeastanza:thus,inthreethousandyearshewrotethree thousandstanzas.ThisbookiscalledTirumandiram.

31.DANDIADIGALNAYANAR

InTiruvarur,intheCholakingdom,therewasapiousBhaktabynameDandiAdigal.He wasbornblind.But,healwaysrepeatedthePanchaksharamandvisualisedtheLordwithhisinner eyes.Hewoulddailygotothetemple,docircumambulation,andworshiptheLord.

TheLord’smissionhadthusbeenfulfilled.Then,TirumularwentbacktoKailasa.

TherewasatankonthewesternsideofthetemplewhichwassurroundedbyJaindwellings. DandiAdigalwantedtoextendtheareaofthetank.But,howcouldhe,amanbornblind,doit?But, withadeterminationandcompletefaithintheLord,hedecidedtodoit.Heerectedapostinsidethe tankwhereitwastobedugandtiedaropetoit.Theotherendoftheropewastiedtotheotherpost whichwasfixedonthebank.Thenguidedbytheropehewouldgotowherethedigginghadtobe done.Hewoulddigwithaspade,collecttheearthinabasketandagainwiththehelpoftherope,he wouldgotothebankandthrowtheearthaway.

TheJainswerewatchingtheblindman’smiracle.Theywerejealousofhisachievement, too.So,theywantedtodisturbhisfaith.Theyputforwardacunningargument.‘Youareblindand youcannotsee.Whiledigging,youarekillingmanyinsectswhichisagreatsin.So,giveupthis foolishact.’Nayanarexplainedtothemthesacrednessofthework,whichwashighlypleasingto theLord,andalsothatbyHisgrace,hewassurenoinsectwouldbeinjured.Hewentonwithwork. TheJainswereinsultingintheirbehaviournow.Theysaid:‘Youwerebornblind:butnowyouare deaf,too.Eventhoughwearegivingyougoodcounsel,youarenotlistening.’Nayanarreplied:‘Oh ignorantpeople,whatdoyouknowoftheLord’sglories?TomeHeisthesolerefuge.Iliveonlyto serveHim.DonotmockatHisgrace.ByHisgrace,ifIregainedmyeye-sightandyoulostyours, whatwillyoudo?’Thisreplygreatlyannoyedthem:theysnatchedthespadeandthebasketfrom hishands.

Withabrokenheart,DandiAdigalwenttothetempleandexpressedhisgrievancestothe Lord.TheLordappearedinhisdreamthatnightandassuredhimofHishelp.Healsoappeared beforethekinginhisdreamandaskedhimtoredressthegrievancesofNayanar.Theking summonedtheJains.DandiAdigalwasalsothere.ThekingaddressedDandi:‘Ohdevotee,you saidthatbyGod’sgraceyoucouldgetyoureye-sightbackandtheJainswouldlosetheirs.Prove this.’DandiAdigalsaid:‘LordSivaistherealGod.Heismysolerefugeandprop.IamonlyHis slave.Ifthisistrue,letmeregainmyeye-sightandlettheJainslosetheirs.’Hethenutteredthe Panchaksharamandwentintothetank.Whenhecameout,hiseye-sighthadbeenrestoredandat thesametime,theJainslosttheireye-sight.Allwereamazedatthis.ThekingbanishedtheJains fromhiskingdomandrestoredpeople’sfaithintheLord.DandiAdigalattainedGod-realisation.

32.MURKHANAYANAR

ThissaintwasaVellalabycasteandhebelongedtoTiruverkatinThondaiNadu.Hewasa greatdevoteeofLordSivaandwasdoingMaahesvaraPujabyregularlyfeedingHisBhaktasatany cost.Hehadspentallhiswealthinsuchfeeding.

So,heresortedtoastrangeway.HeusedtogambleandusethemoneyforfeedingSiva Bhaktas.Hewentawayfromhisvillageinsearchofgamblers!Hewouldnotspareanybody:if someonerefusedtogamblewithhim,hewouldresorttoviolence!(SothenameMurkhaNayanar whichmeanswickedNayanar!)But,hewouldneverutilisethemoneyforhisownexpenses.Itwas allforHisBhaktas.So,theLord,theIndweller,showeredHisblessingsonhim.

ThisisanextraordinaryillustrationofthenatureofsupremedevotionorParaBhakti.Itisits ownlaw.ThedevoteeknowsnothingbutGodandisactuallyobliviousoftheworldandits

manners.HelivesinGod,forGodandheisofGod.Atsuchastage,GodHimselftakeschargeof him!Thecompletenessofthesurrenderisseverelytestedbeforethis.

ItistheextremedifficultyofthispaththatmadeSageNaradaexclaimthatevenasaint shouldnotviolatethecanonsofmorality.Hence,solongasyouareawareofyourown individuality,sticktothecodeofrightconduct:donotfoolishlyimitatethesageswhodwellina planeofconsciousness,towhichyouareacompletestranger.

33.SOMASIRANAYANAR

SomasiraNayanarwasaBrahminbycaste.HelivedinTiruvambur.Hewasagreatdevotee oftheLordandservedHisBhaktas,irrespectiveoftheircaste.HedidYagasandworshippedthe Lord,withoutexpectinganyreward.HewenttoTiruvarurandlivedwithSundaramurthiNayanar towhomhehadtotallysurrenderedhimself.ThushegotHisgrace.

Hereisasimplelifeofsaintliness.Onthefaceofittheredoesnotseemtobeanything spectacularaboutthisNayanar.But,wehavetobearinmindtheconditionsthatprevailedinSouth IndiaintheNayanar’sdays.ItwasalmostimpossibleforaBrahmininthosedaystomixwith peopleofothercastes,howeverdevotedtheymightbetoGod.ForaBrahminto serve themwas unthinkablydifficult.Itrequiredverygreatwillpower,determinationanddevotiontoGodandHis Bhaktas.

Again,inthosedaysnoonewouldeventhinkofperformingaYagawithoutexpectationofa reward.Yagaswereperformedonlywithaspecificselfishdesire.ThatNayanarperformedthem selflesslyanddesirelessly,showsthathehadalreadyreachedahighstageofJnanaorspiritual insight.HewasatrueJnaniandKarmaYogi.

Overandaboveallthese,hewashighlydevotedtotheGuru,SundaramurthiNayanar.What cannotGuruBhaktiachieve?And,yet,foolishandarrogantmanspeakslightlyofitandridicules GuruBhakti!

34.SAKKIYANAYANAR

ThissaintwasaVellalaborninTirucchangamangai.Hewastotallydisgustedwithworldly lifeandwantedtoattainLiberation.Hesoughtthebestwaytogetthis.Duetofalsepropaganda,he fellavictimtoBuddhisticinfluence.HebecameaBuddhist,butitdidnotsatisfyhimforlong.He wasimmediatelyattractedtoSaivismandwasconvincedthat,whateverbetheexternalappearance orconductofone,ifhehadintensedevotiontotheLord,hewouldattainLiberation.Thoughhedid notgiveuphisexternalappearanceofaBuddhist,headoredLordSiva.

Oneday,ashewassittinginanopenSivatempleandmeditatingontheLingam,completely absorbedinthedivinebliss,heself-forgetfullythrewastoneattheLingam.Onthenextday,he wenttothetempleagainandrecollectedthepreviousday’saction.HefeltthatitwastheLords Will,torevealtheprofoundtruththatHewouldaccept anything offeredbyHisBhaktaindevotion. Hethrewastonethatdaytoo.Thatwashisdailyworship,withoutwhichhewouldnottakehis food!Oneday,whenhewasabouttotakehismeal,herememberedthathehadnotdonehisusual

Puja:andunmindfulofthehunger,wenttothetempleandthrewastonewithgreatdevotion.The Lordappearedbeforehim,blessedhimandtookhimtoKailasa.

35.SIRAPPULINAYANAR

SirappuliNayanarwasapiousBrahmin.HelivedinTiruvakurintheCholakingdom.He wasanardentdevoteeofLordSivaandHisBhaktas.Heusedtoworshipthemandservethem sincerely.HewouldrepeatthePanchaksharaMantra,withBhavandsincerity,throughouttheday andnight.HealsoperformedtheVedicsacrificesinhonourofLordSiva.Alltheseearnedforhim thesupremegraceofSiva.

AspecialspiritualpracticeofthisNayanarseemstohavebeentheceaselessrepetitionof thePanchaksharaMantra(OmNamahSivaya).Thisextremelysimplepracticeiscapableof bestowingincalculablebenefitonman:andyet,ignorantman,fullofdelusion,refusestoresortto it.ThecontinuousrepetitionoftheMantrawillchangetheverymind-substance.Itcontainsadivine vibration.Modernsciencehasreachedastagewhenitnolongerbelievesinmassandquantity. Eventhegrossandimpureintellectofascientisthascometorecognisethesuperiorpowerinthe subtleatomorcell.Greatindeedisthefoolishnessofmanifhestillrefusestobelievethatthe sound-vibrations(eventhesubtlerthought-vibrations)canbringaboutaradicalchangewithin himselfandhealhimphysically,vitally,mentally,psychicallyandspiritually.

ThisisthehighestYoga:torememberGodalwaysandconstantlytorepeatHisName.

36.SIRUTHONDANAYANAR

InTiruchenkattangudiintheCholakingdom,therelivedaSivaBhaktabynameParanjyoti. Hiswasafamilyofarmycommanders.HehimselfwastheCommander-in-ChiefoftheCholaking. HerealisedthatdevotiontotheFeetofLordSivawasthebestmeansofobtainingLiberationfrom Samsaraandso,heclungtoThem.

Once,attheinstanceofhisking,hewagedwarwithaNorthIndianking,defeatedhimand returnedwithabigbooty.Thekingwashighlypleased.Theministerinformedthekingthat ParanjyotiarwasabletoachievethevictorybecauseofhisintensedevotiontoLordSiva.This shockedtheking,whowasaSivaBhaktahimself:heregrettedhavingcompelledaSivaBhaktato wageabloodywar.HecalledParanjyotiar,apologisedforhavingsenthim,aSivaBhaktatowar, and,aftergivinghimrichpresents,senthimbacktohisvillage,withtherequestthatheshould henceforthengagehimselfinHisPuja.Paranjyotiarreturnedtohisvillageandfromthattimewas engagedintheworshipoftheLordandHisBhaktas.HewouldnoteatwithoutfirstfeedingaSiva Bhakta.HeregardedhimselfasthelowlyservantoftheLordandHisBhaktas:hencethename Siruthondar(smallservant).

LordSivawantedtobringoutthegloryofthisnoblesaint.So,onedayHeappearedinfront ofSiruthondar’shouse,intheguiseofaVairavar(aspecialclassofSivaYogis).Heenquiredof Siruthondar’smaid-servant,SandanaNangaiyar,whetherhermasterwasathome.Shesaid:‘No, hehasgoneinsearchofaSivaBhakta,withoutfeedingwhomhewouldnottakehisfood.’But, afraidlestthisSivaYogishouldgoaway,sheentreatedhimtocomeintothehouse.Themendicant

wouldnot:‘Ishallnotenterthehouseinwhichawomanisalone.’Siruthondar’swifeTiruvengattu NangaiyarheardthesewordsandcameouthurriedlyandprayedtotheVairavartostayinthehouse tillthehusbandreturned.TheVairavarrepeatedhisobjectionandsaid:‘Whenhecomesbacktell himIamunderthetreenearthetemple.’TheVairavarwentaway.

Immediatelyafterwards,Siruthondarreturned.Hiswifetoldhimallthathadhappenedin hisabsence.SiruthondarwasoverjoyedbecausehewasunabletofindanyotherBhaktathatday.At onceherantothetempleandfellatthefeetoftheVairavarandinvitedhimtothehousefor Bhiksha.TheVairavar,however,hesitatedandremarked:‘Idoubtwhetheryouwillbeabletofulfil theexactingconditionsIshalldemandforacceptingyourBhiksha:so,betterleavemealone.’ Siruthondarwasgreatlygrieved.HehadthoughtthatthismendicanthadbeenspeciallysentbyGod toenablehimtoadheretohisvowandfeedaBhaktaeveryday.Hewaspreparedtomeetany demandfromtheBhakta,ifonlyheagreedtotaketheBhiksha.Now,themendicantrevealedhis condition:‘Ohdevotee,itismyhabittoeatonceinsixmonthsthefreshmeatofa Pasu. Thattime hasnowcome.Idoubtwhetheryouwillsatisfyme.’Thisword Pasu hastwomeanings:ananimal andahumanbeing.Siruthondarthoughtthatthemendicantonlymeantanimalmeat:andreadily agreed!Tohissurprise,however,themendicantrevealedthatmeanthumanflesh!Healsoadded: ‘Ohfriend,itshouldbethemeatofachild.Thechildshouldbefiveyearsofage.Hemustbe healthy.Heshouldbetheonlysonofhisparents.Suchaboymustbeheldbythemotherandcut intopiecesbyhisfather.Thismeatmustbecookednicelyandofferedtome.’Withouttheleast hesitation,Siruthondaracceptedconditionsandtookthemendicanthome.

Howtofindaboyofthemendicant’sdescription?Siruthondarthoughtofhisownsonwho fittedthedescription.Thenoblewifeagreed,too,andaskedhimtogetthechildfromschool.As soonashecamethemotherheldhimonherlap.Theinnocentchildwaslaughingwhen Siruthondar,withonestrokecuthisthroat.Theheadisgenerallyunfitforcooking,andisnotfitfor beingofferedtotheLord.So,theygaveitawaytothemaid-servantandbegantocook,therestof themeat.Afterworshippingthemendicant,SiruthondarwaspreparingtoofferhimBhiksha.The mendicantascertainedthemethodadoptedbythemincookingthemeatandNayanarexplained everything(exceptthefactthatitwastheirownsonthattheyhadsacrificed).Themendicantsaidhe wouldeatthehead,too.Themaid-servanthadanticipatedthisandhadtheheadcookedandready.

Onceagain,SiruthondarrequestedtheYogitohavehismeal.Now,theYogiwanted anotherSivaBhaktatoeatwithhim:andtherewasnooneexcepttheNayanarhimself.So,hesat withtheYogi,readytoeatthefleshofhisson,topleasetheYogi.Yet,onemoreconditionhadtobe fulfilled!TheYogisaidthatunlessthehost’ssonatewithhim,hewouldnoteat!Nayanartactfully explainedthathissonwasnotinthehouseandsocouldnotjoinwiththem.But,theYogiinsisted: ‘Gooutandcallforhim:hewillcome.’NayanarwantedtoobeytheYogianddidastheYogihad askedtodo.Wonderofwonders:theyoungboycamerunningtothefatherassoonasthefatherhad criedaloud:‘Sirala,comehere:theYogiwantsyoutoeatwithhim.’Theparentswereastonishedto seetheirchild,Siralancomebacktolife.Theyenteredthekitchen,butcouldnotfindtheYogi there.Themeathadalsodisappeared!AstheyweresearchingfortheYogi,theLordappeared beforethem,blessedthemandtookthemtoHisAbode.

37.CHERAMANPERUMALNAYANAR

CheramanPerumalNayanarwasborninKodunkolur.ItwasthecapitalcityofMalaiNadu orthepresentKerala.HewasbornintheroyalfamilyofKothayars,otherwiseknownasthe Uthiyanfamily.ThenameCheramanwasthecommonnameforallCheras.Perumalwasthetitle adoptedbyhimafterhiscoronation.HisoriginalnamewasPerum-Ma-Kothayar.Hewasendowed withgoodSamskaras.HehadgreatdevotiontotheLordevenasachild.Ashegrew,hisdevotion alsogrew.Hehadaremarkabledegreeofdispassionanddiscrimination.Hedidnotliketorulethe country:andso,whenhecameofage,herenouncedtheworldandwenttoTiruAnchaikalamand engagedhimselfintheworshipoftheLordthere.ThecountrywasruledbySengolPorayan.He, too,soonrealisedtheevanescenceofworldlylifeandrenouncedtheworld!Hehadnoissuesand thethronewasvacant.TheywenttoTiruAnchaikalamandrequestedPerum-Ma-Kothayarto ascendthethrone.Thoughhewasreluctant,lestitshouldinterferewithhisdailyworship,hebowed tothedivinewill.Hewenttothetempleandofferedaprayer.TheLordpermittedhimtoacceptthe rulership.BytheLord’sgraceheascendedthethroneandruledthecountryjustlyandwisely.He couldunderstandalllanguages,eventhelanguageofthebirds.TheLordhadbestoweduponhimall theAiswaryas,greatstrength,royalvehicles,etc.

Afterthe coronation, hewenttothetempleandafterworshippingtheLordhewasreturning tothepalace.Ontheway,hesawawashermanwhosebodyhadbeensmearedwithwhitesandand mud.TheverysightenrapturedCheramanwhosawinhimtheimageofLordSivawiththesacred ashsmearedalloverthebody.HewasraisedtoGod-consciousness.Hedescendedfromthe elephantandfellatthefeetofthewasherman,inspiteofthelatter’sprotest.Allwerewonderstruck towitnessthesupremedevotionofCheraman.

Byhismanyactsofdevotionandpiety,heearnedthegraceofLordSiva.TheLordsentto himarenownedmusiciananddevotee,Banapatirar,withapalmleafonwhichwastheLord’sown songinpraiseofCheraman!Itread:‘Ohkingwhohonoursgreatpoetswithrichpresents,whorules hissubjectswithlove!Glorytoyou!Iamveryhighlypleasedwithyourdevotionandcharitable nature.ThebearerofthismessageisBanapatirarwhoisagreatdevoteelikeyou.Heisagreat musicianandalwayssingsMygloriesonhisfavouriteinstrument,Yazh.Hehascometoseeyou. Welcomehimwithduerespectandhonourhimwithplentyofriches.’Cheramanwelcomedthe musicianwithgreatloveanddevotion.WhenhereadthesongoftheLord,hewasoverjoyedand rolledontheground.HesaidtoBanapatirar:‘Ohnoblesoul,kindlytakepossessionofalltheseand acceptmykingdomalso.’Banapatirarwasastoundedtowitnesstheking’sdevotionandsaid:‘Oh king,IamhighlypleasedwithyourDarshan.Ishallacceptonlywhatisabsolutelynecessaryfor me,forthathasbeenthecommandoftheLord.’HetookwhatheneededandleftKodunkoluronan elephant.Cheramanescortedhimuptotheborder.

CheramanwasgreatlydevotedtoLordNataraja.Hehadsurrenderedhisbody,mindand soultoHim.HewoulddailyworshiptheLord:and,byHisgrace,atthetimeofhisprayer,hewould hearthemusicalsoundproducedbytheLord’sankletsduringHisdance.Oneday,however,atthe timeoftheprayer,hedidnotheartheusualdivinesound.Cheramanwasgreatlyafflictedatheart. Hethoughtthathemusthavebeenguiltyofagreatcrimeanddecidedtoendhislife,withhissword. Atonceheheardthedivinesoundandavoiceintheskyexplained:‘Ohnoblesoul,Myfriend NambiArurarhascometoTillaiandhewassingingsweetTamilsongs.Iwascompletelyabsorbed

inthatandhencethedelayinblessingyouwiththemusicalsoundofMyanklet.’TheLordwanted tocreateafriendshipbetweenSundararandCheramanandsospokehighlyofSundararto Cheraman.Cheraman,desirousofworshippingLordNatarajaandalsoofmeetingSundarar,at oncestartedforTillai.TheverysightoftheLordinTillaientrancedhim.Hesang‘PonVannathu Anthadi’onLordNataraja.Inappreciation,theLordblessedhimwiththemusicalsoundofHis anklets.Cheramanwasswimmingindivinebliss.

BeforeCheramanreachedTillai,Sundararhadalreadylefttheplace.Cheramanproceeded toTiruvarurwherehemetSundarar.Theyembracedeachotherandfellateachother’sfeet.They becamefastfriends.AtTiruvarurCheramancomposedthefamous‘TiruMummanikovai’onLord Thiagaraja.

ThentheywenttoVedaranyam.ThereCheramansanghis‘TiruAnthati’ontheLord.After visitingmanyshrinesonthewaytheycametoMadura.ThePandyankingwelcomedthem.The CholaprincewhowasstayingwiththePandyankingalsowelcomedthem.Intheircompanythe greatsaintsvisitedmanyshrines.Takingleaveofthekings,CheramanandSundararreturnedto Tiruvarur.Fromthere,attherequestofCheraman,SundararaccompaniedhimtoKodunkolur. ThereCheramantookSundararonanelephantandwentroundthecityinprocession.

WhenSundararreturnedtoTiruvarur,hehadinstructedCheramantorulethecountryjustly andwisely.Cheramanobeyedthesaint’scommands.OnthenextoccasionwhenSundararvisited KodunkoluronedaySundararsuddenlylefttheplaceandwenttothesacredshrineatTiru AnchaikalamwherehesoughttheLord’sgraceandattainedLiberation.Byintuition,Cheraman learntofSundarar’sreleaseandhealsoattainedtheLotusFeetoftheLord,aswehavealreadyseen, whiledealingwithSundaramurthiNayanar’slife.InKailasa,CheramanbecamethechiefofLord Siva’sGanas(servants).

38.GANANATHANAYANAR

GananatharwasapiousBrahminofSirkali.HewasagreatBhaktaofLordSiva.People admiredhisvirtueanddevotionandcametohimforadvice.Heinvariablygavethemsomework connectedwiththetemple,accordingtotheirability.Theywouldcleanthetemple,makegarlands, workinthegardens,burnlampsinthetemples,etc.ThusheinfuseddevotioninthemfortheLord andtransformedthemintoSivaBhaktas.HewasgreatlydevotedtoJnanaSambandar.Allthese earnedSiva’sgraceforhim.

Hereisanothergreatbutsimplespiritualpractice.TalktootherpeopleaboutGodandthe gloryofdevotion,etc.Youwillbebuildingupapowerfulspiritualfortressaroundyou.Youwillbe abletoavoidpeoplewastingyourtime:youwillnotindulgeinnorallowotherstoleadyouinto, gossipwhichisthespiritualaspirant’sarch-enemy.Peoplewhomayinthebeginning,thinkthat youarestrangeinyourbehaviour,willsoonunderstandyouandtheywill,oftheirownaccord, avoiduselesstalkinyourverypresence.Atthesametime,youwillberenderingaverygreat servicetohumanity,bydirectingeveryone’smindtowardsGodandDharma.Hereisawonderful Yogawhichhelpsyouandothers,too,atthesametime.Putitintopracticeandrealiseits miraculouseffect.

39.KOOTRUVANAYANAR

ThissaintwasachieftainofKalandai.HewasextremelydevotedtoLordSiva.Dailyhe wouldrepeatthePanchaksharaMantra,andservetheBhaktas.TheLordmadehimmorepowerful, andbestowedonhimallwealthandstrength.NayanarcapturedmanyplacesintheCholaand Pandyankingdoms.HewantedthatthethreethousandBrahminsofTillaishouldcrownhimking: theyrefused,becausetheyowedallegiancetotheCholaking.AllofthemevenleftTillaifearinghis wrath.OnlyonewaslefttodothePuja.EvenherefusedtoaccedetoNayanar’srequest.Oneday NayanarprayedtotheLord:and,inanswer,theLordHimselfappearedbeforehimandcrowned himbyplacingHisFeetonhishead.NayanarcontinuedtoworshiptheLordandfinallyattained Him.

TheLord,theIndwellerofourheartsknewthat,whentheNayanaraskedthethreethousand Brahminstocrownhim,itwasonlytospiritualisethecoronationandtoenablehimtofeelthatthe crownwasbutasymboloftheFeetoftheLord.WhentheBrahminsfearedpoliticalrepercussions, theLordHimselffulfilledthedevotee’swish.

40.PUGALCHOLANAYANAR

PugalCholaNayanarwasaking.HewaslivinginUraiyurintheCholakingdom.Hewas greatlydevotedtoLordSivaandHisBhaktas.Hewasanidealkingandpeoplelovedhimand followedinhisfootsteps.

OncehewenttoKarurtocollecttributesduetohimfromthekingsofKudaNadu.Allof thempaidatonce:buttheministersreportedthatapettykingnamedAdiganhadnot.Heorderedhis troopstoinvadeAdigan’sfort.Inthemeantime,theking’selephantwaskilledbyEripathaNayanar foraSivaAparadham(aswehavealreadyseeninEripathaNayanar’slife).Ultimately,both EripatharandthekinghadtheLord’sDarshan.Asthisdramawasbeingenacted,elsewhere,the king’stroopshaddemolishedAdigan’sfort,killingmanyofhismen,andAdiganhimselfhadrun away.PugalCholar’stroopsreturnedwithalotofwealthandtheheadsofmenkilled.Theyplaced alltheseattheking’sfeet.Amongtheheads,thekingnoticedaheadwiththebraidofhairon top—itbelongedtoaSivaBhakta.Strickenwithterribleremorsethekinghadabigfiremade,went roundithavingtheheadonagoldenplateinhishandandenteredthefirechantingthe PanchaksharaMantra.ThusheenteredtheLord’sAbode.

41.NARASINGAMUNIYARAIYAR

Thissaintwasapettychieftain.HelivedinTiruMunaipadi.HewashighlydevotedtoLord Siva.HewasachampionofSaivism.OneveryTiruvathiraidayhewouldconductspecialPuja, feedSivaBhaktasinwhateverformtheyappearedandofferthegiftofahundredgoldcoinstoeach. Ononesuchoccasion,oneBhaktacamewithsacredashesonhisstarknakedbody:thisevoked disgustintheheartsoftheotherBhaktas.Nayanarunderstoodthisandfellatthenakeddevotee’s feetandwelcomedhimwithmorerespect.Hefedhimnicelyandgavehim200goldcoins.This earnedtheLord’ssupremegracefortheNayanar.

Hereisanillustrationofthesubtlewayinwhichsaintsmanifesttheircosmicvision,and alsothesubtlewayinwhichtheybringaboutthenecessarychangeintheoutlookofothers.Tothe Nayanar,allthedevoteesarethemanifestationsofLordSiva.Thenakedmandoesnotevokethe leasttraceofdisgustorcontempt.Whenhefindsthis unhealthy attitudeinothers,hedoesnot violentlycorrectthem.Inhisownsubtle,mysteriousbutveryeffectiveway,hedemonstratesthe truth:andbringsaboutachangeintheattitudeoftheignorant.Boththeselessonsareimportant.

42.ADIPATTHANAYANAR

ThissaintwasafishermanborninNulaipadinearNagapattinam.Itwashispracticetoletgo onefishfromhiscatchdaily,asanofferinguntotheLord.TheLordwantedtorevealhisgreatness totheworld.Onceitsohappenedthatformanyconsecutivedayshecouldcatchonlyonefish.He letitgo,inthenameofLordSiva,andwentwithoutfood.Onedayhecaughtagoldenfish,again onlyonefortheday.And,hestucktohisvowandletitgo,inthenameofLordSiva.TheLord appearedbeforehimandblessedthisilliterate,fishermansaint!

Notindeedbyvasterudition,norbybreath-takingausterities,norbyhearingandtalkinga lot,butbyunflinchingdevotionalonecanGodberealised.Thishumble,simple,fishermansaint hasprovedthatbeyondtheleasttraceofdoubt.But,lookathissteadfastness, Nishta!Itisnoteasy toacquire,unlessyouhavelivingfaithinGod.Otherwise,themindwillbringupallsortsofreasons (lameexcuses!)forbreakingthevow.ThissupremefaithanddevotionisitselfthehighestJnana. Onlyanignorantmanstudiesbooks:whatneedisthereforagreatscholartostudyanelementary bookongrammar?WhatneedisthereforonetowhomGodisalivingpresence,tostuffhimself withwords?Intellectisahelp,ifitservesfaith:itisahindranceifitshakesit.Devotionis indispensableforattainingHim.

43.KALIKAMBANAYANAR

ThissaintwasaVaisyabycasteandhelivedinPennagadamintheCholakingdom.Hewas doingsomeserviceinthetemple.HewasverydevotedtoSivaBhaktasinwhomhesawtheLord Himself.Hiswife,too,helpedhiminallthis.

Oneday,hisformerservantcametohishouseintheguiseofaBhakta.Nayanar,asusual, welcomedhim,washedhisfeetandworshippedhim.But,hiswifewhorecognisedtheformer servantdidnotjoin.Nayanarunderstoodherlackofdevotion,cutoffherhandandcontinuedhis worshipoftheBhakta.PractisingthisformofYogaSadhana,heattainedHim.

ThissainthasdramaticallyprovedthegreattruthwhichSageNaradahasemphasisedinhis immortalwork‘BhaktiSutras’:thereisnodistinctionofcaste,creedorstatus,amongthedevotees ofGod. They donotrecognisesuchdistinctionsamongthemselves:andothers,too,shallnot entertainsuchdistinctions.ItisblasphemyagainstGod.Thegreatdevoteeshavebecomeonewith Him.Theyareallmanifestdivinity.Whatevermighthavebeentheir past life,casteorfaith,they have now becomedivineandhencesuchdistinctionshavenomeaning.

44.KALIANAYANAR

KaliaNayanarwasanoilmongerofTiruvotriyur.HisadorationoftheLord,toWhomhe washighlydevoted,tooktheformoflightingthetemplelampsdaily.Hewasrich.But,inorderto revealhisgreatnesstheLordmadehimpoor.Hisfamilypeoplealsorefusedhelp.Hebegantowork asalabourertoearntheoil.Eventhisbecameimpossible.Hewantedtosellhiswife:butnoone wouldbuy.Atlast,indespair,hewantedtocuthisownthroatandusethebloodinsteadofoil,to burnthelamps.Inthatattempt,LordSivacaughtholdofhishandandblessedhim.

Whatgreatness,andwhatintensityofdevotionisportrayedinthissimplelife! Self-forgetfulnessisthekey-noteindevotion.RememberingGodalways,thedevoteeisso thoroughlyabsorbedinHim,thatnothingbutGodandHisworshipmatterstohim.Byallmeans Hisworshipmustgoon:noobstacle shall standintheway.Thedevotee’sheartandmindare alwayspositive,neverlettinganegativethoughtenterthem.Heseesopportunitiesindifficulties andisneverbeatenbyanyobstacleswhichservehimasstepstoGod!

45.SATTINAYANAR

SattiNayanarwasaVellalabycaste.HewasborninVarinjiyurintheCholakingdom.He wasasinceredevoteeofLordSivaandhonouredHisdevotees.Hecouldnottolerateanyone speakingillofthem.Ifanyonedidso,hewouldcutofftheslanderer’stongue.LordSivaunderstood hispureinnerBhavandshoweredHisgraceonhim.

BesidesrevealingthegloryoftheNayanar’sdevotion,thissimplelifealsoholdsforusa greatobjectlesson—neverspeakillofthesaintsordevoteesofGod.Theyhaveattainedunionwith God:and,so,ifyouvilifythem,youarevilifyingGodHimself.Itisthegreatestsin,thegreatest, Himalayanblunder.Youcannotjudgethem:theyliveonadifferentplaneofconsciousnessfrom yours.Ourscripturescontainnumerousillustrationsofthestrangebehaviourofsaints,sagesand Yogis.Sometimestheybehaveaslittlechildren:sometimesasmad-men;sometimesasfools. Mysteriousisthenatureofsaints.Alwaysworshipandadorethem:youwillbebenefited.Donot criticisethemorspeakillofthemorfindfaultwiththeirconduct.Ourscripturessaythathewho blamestheconductofthesages,getstheirbadKarma,andsuffersdoublyinconsequence.Beware!

IfanyonespeaksillofasaintordevoteeofGod,inyourpresence,leavethatplaceatonce. Otherwise,yourownmoralandspiritualstructurewillbedangerouslyundermined.Beware!

46.AIYADIGALKADAVARKONNAYANAR

AiyadigalKadavarkonNayanarwasaPallavakingwhoruledoverKanchi.Heinfusedthe spiritofSaivismintohispeople,too.

Soonhegotdisgustedwithworldlylife,renouncedtheworld,afterinstallinghissoninhis place,andundertookacontinuouspilgrimageofthevariousshrinessinginghymnsinHispraise, whereverhewent.LordSivawashighlypleasedwithhisdevotionandblessedhimwithHis Darshan.

Thiskinghassetanexampleforallkingsandsocialleaderstofollow.Leadersshouldbethe bestexamplefortheirfollowers.Theyshouldencouragethemassestowalkthepathofvirtueand Godlines.Otherwise,theyliveinvain:and,whatismore,theytakeupontheirshouldersagoodpart ofthesinsoftheirfollowers,fortheyareresponsibleforthosesins.

ThisNayanarlivesinourheartseventodaybecauseheservedhissubjectsbothbyprecept andbyhisownpersonalexample.Hetaughtthem;heencouragedthem;and,finally,byhisownlife ofrenunciationandwholehearteddevotionoftheLord,setagloriousexampleforthemtoemulate. Suchisthelifeofanidealleader.

47.KANAMPULLANAYANAR

KanampullaNayanarwasawealthymaninIrukkuvelur.HewasagreatSivaBhakta.He wantedtoutiliseallhiswealthinHisserviceonly.So,withunswervingdevotionhewouldlightthe lampsinSivashrinesandsingHispraise.LordSivawantedtorevealhisdevotion.Hewithdrewhis wealth.HewentovertoChidambaran.Therealsohecontinuedhisservice,withthemoneygotby sellinghispossessions.Therewasnothingleftinthehouse.Hehadtocutgrass,sellitandpurchase gheewiththemoneyandburnthelamps.BecausehecutgrassknownasKanampul,hewasknown asKanampullaNayanar.Onedayhecouldnotsellthegrass.Hedidnotwanttoswervefromhis duty,however.Hewenttothetempleandmadeawickoutofthegrassandburntit.Thequantityof grasswasnotenough.So,hebroughthisownheadnearthelamp,spreadhishaironthelamp,and beganburningit.AtonceLordSivaappearedbeforehim,andblessedhim.

48.KARINAYANAR

ThisardentdevoteeofLordSivawasanativeofTirukadavur.HewasascholarinTamil. HeusedtogotothethreeTamilkings,andgetmoneybysingingTamil Kovais (anthology).He earnedalotandbuilttemples.ThushespreadthecauseofSaivism.HealsoservedSivaBhaktas andearnedHisgrace.

AtruedevoteeoftheLordlivesforHissakeonly.AllthathehasisofferedtotheLordasthe devotee’sworship.Godisyourcreator,yourfatherandmother,friendandGuru.Hehasgivenyou thevarioustalentsandskill.TheybelongtoHim.Hedwellsin all, andexpectsyoutoutilisethemin theserviceofall.Thisisthesimplelogicbywhichthesaintsarriveattheconclusionthatthey shouldseeGodinall,servetheLordinall,andloveHiminandthroughcosmiclove,expressedas selflessserviceandcharity.

Byleadingsuchaselflessanddivinelife,youwillconqueryourworstspiritualenemy,viz., egoism,andrealiseGodinthisverybirth,nay,thisverysecond.

49.NINRASEERNEDUMARANAYANARAND 50.MANGAYARKARASIYAR

KoonPandyan,thePandyanking,wasrulinginMadura.HewascalledKoonPandyan becauseofhishunchback.HewashimselfapoetandhepatronisedtheTamilpoetsandestablished aTamilSangam.HiswifewasMangayarkarasiyar.ShewasthedaughterofaCholaking.Shewas

anardentdevoteeofLordSiva.KulacchiraiNayanarwashisminister:andhewasalsoastaunch devoteeofLordSiva.TiruJnanaSambandarhassungPadigamsinpraiseofboth.

KoonPandyanhadfallenavictimtotheinfluenceofJainism.Thequeenandtheminister fearedthatunlesssomethingwasdone,Saivismwouldbewipedout.WhenSambandarcameto Maduraandwasstayingoutsidethecity,KulacchiraiNayanarinvitedhimintothecity.TheJains triedinvaintodestroySambandar.WhenSambandarsangasong,theking’shunchbackwascured, asalsohisburningpain.HecamebacktoSaivism.SincethenhewasknownasNinraSeer NadumaraNayanar,ashishunchbackhaddisappearedandhestooderectandtall.

ThePandyankingthendefeatedthenorthernkingsatTirunelvelyandspreadSaivismthere. Mangayarkarasiyarhelpedherhusbandalotinthis.Boththehusbandandthewifeworshipped Sambandarwithgreatfaithanddevotion.TheirdevotiontotheGuruandloveofSaivismearned Hisgraceforthem.

51.VAYILARNAYANAR

HewasaVellalabycaste.HebelongedtoMylapore.HewasaSivaBhakta.Heconstructed templesmentallyanddidManasic(mental)worship.Hebuiltthetempleofnon-forgetfulness,lit theshininglampofSelf-illumination,bathedtheLordinthewatersofimmortalAnanda(bliss)and worshippedHimwiththeelixirofsupremelove.Thusheobtainedsalvation.

HereisthelifeofaParaBhakta,asupremedevotee.Hehadtranscendedthestageofidol worship.Hehadattainedgreatpurityofheartandclarityofinnerpsychicvisionsothat,withoutthe aidofasymbolandwithoutthehelpofrituals,hecouldraisehismindtothesublimeheightsofthe Abstract.

TheinclusionofthiswonderfullysimplelifeofVayilarNayanaristopointoutthat devotionisofmanytypes,tosuitthetasteandtemperamentofdifferentindividuals.Whateverbe thepaththechoose,ultimatelytheyreachthesamegoal,unionwiththeLord,Siva.TheHindu sageshavealwaysdeclaredthatthespiritualpathisnotastereotypedone,thesamedrugforall diseases,thesamefoodforallpeopleatallages(frominfancytooldage!),butthatthespirituallife isadapted(withinbroadlimits)totheneedsofeachindividual.Everyonepursuesthepathorthe combinationofpathssuitedtohim,andultimatelyreachesthesamegoal.

52.MUNAIYADUVARNAYANAR

ThissaintwasaVellalabycaste.HebelongedtoTiruNidurintheCholakingdom.Hewasa greatBhaktaofLordSivaandHisdevotees.Hewasalwaysthehopeofthedesperate,theweakand thevanquished.Theywouldcalluponhimtoturntheirdefeatintoavictory.Hewouldhirehimself outasaprofessionalfighter.Hefixedawageforthisserviceandwiththatmoneyhewouldfeedthe SivaBhaktasandlookafterthem.Heearnedmoneyinthiswayandhencehewascalled ‘Munaiyaduvar’.LordSivawashighlypleasedwithhimandblessedhim.

TwovitallessonsthatthisNayanar’slifeholdshouldnotbeignored.Thefirstandforemost, evenintheexerciseoftheGod-giventalentoffencing,theNayanartookcaretosee,thatitwasused

NINRASEERNEDUMARANAYANARANDMANGAYARKARASIYAR

todefendtheweak,theoppressedandthedowntrodden.Strength,too,isamanifestationofthe Lord,accordingtoHim:butitshouldbeusedinHisserviceinarighteousway.Thesecondoneis thatthefruitsofsuchservicewerealwaysdedicatedtotheLord.Thisistheverycoreofthe teachingoftheBhagavadGita,andtheteachingsofallsaintsandsages.Righteousnessrestsonthis pedestalofdedicationtoGodandunselfishness.Selfishnessistherootcauseofallsinsand consequentmiseries.

53.KAZHARSINGANAYANARAND 54.SERUTHUNAINAYANAR

KazharsingaNayanarwasanardentdevoteeoftheLord.HewasaPallavamonarch, belongingtothefamilyofKadavar.DuetoGod’sgracehedefeatedthekingsofthenorthern countryandestablishedSaivismthere.Hewentonmanypilgrimages.

OncehecametoTiruvarurwithhisqueenandvisitedthetemple.Thequeen,cominground thetemple,cametotheplacewhereflowershadbeenkeptforSiva’sworship,andshesmelta flowerwhichhadaccidentallyfallenonthefloor.SeruthunaiNayanar,apiousVellalaofTanjore, whowasdoingtheserviceinthetemple,wasannoyedbyheraction.Heatoncecutoffthenoseof thequeenthatsmelttheflower.

Theking,hearingthepitiablecryofthequeen,rushedtothespot.Hewasterriblyangry withthemanwhowasresponsibleforthebrutalact.SeruthunaiNayanarexplainedtohimthe queen’sactionwhichwasaninsulttoLordSiva(SivaAparadham).Thekingatoncegavean additionalpunishmenttoher,bycuttingoffherhandwhichpickeduptheflower!Boththekingand SeruthunaiNayanarwereglorifiedbythepeopleandthecelestialsrainedflowersonthem.Bothof themattainedthegraceofLordSiva.

55.IDANGAZHINAYANAR

ThissaintwasthekingofVelasinKodumbalur.HewasastaunchdevoteeofLordSiva.He hadmadearrangementswithalltheSivatemplestoperformworshipaccordingtotheSivaAgamas. TherewasanotherSivaBhaktainthesamelocalitydoingMaaheshwaraPuja.Hebecameverypoor andsohecouldnotcontinuehisPujaandfeedingofBhaktas.So,onedayheenteredIdangazhi Nayanar’sgranaryatnightandbegantostealpaddy.Thewatchmancaughthimred-handedand tookhimtotheking.ThekinglearntonenquirythattheSivaBhakta’smotiveforstealingwasto feedthedevoteesoftheLord.Thekinglethimgo.

Thisincidentopenedtheeyesoftheking.Herealisedthatnothingbelongedtohimandthat therealownersofhispropertywereLordSivaandHisBhaktas.So,hegavepermissiontoallSiva Bhaktastoenterhispalaceandgranaryandtakewhatevertheywanted.Thushedisplayedhiszeal forthespreadofSaivism.ThusheearnedLordSiva’sgrace,too.

56.PUGAZHTUNAINAYANAR

ThissaintwasapiousAdiSaivaofSeruviliputhur.HewasanardentSivaBhakta.Hewasa Pujari(priest)inthetemple.Hisdailydutywastobathetheimage,utteringtheMantrasanddothe

Puja,accordingtotheSivaAgamas.Onceafaminesweptoverthelandandhehadnomoneytobuy food.Helovedthedeityandhisdailydutysomuchthathedidnotliketoleavetheplaceinspiteof thestarvation.HestucktothatplaceandcontinuedthePuja.Hisbodywasemaciated.Oneday,in spiteofhisweakness,hefetchedwaterfortheLord’sBath(Abhishekam)and,whenhewas pouringthewaterontheLingam,thewater-potslippedfromhishandandfellonHim.Nayanar forgothimselfinsheerexhaustionandfaintedaway.TheLordappearedinhisdreamandsaidthat Hewouldleaveonecoininthetempleeverydaytillthefaminewasoversothathecouldprocure thenecessaryfoodwiththatmoneyandappeasehishunger.Nayanarwokeupandfoundthatthe dreamwastrue!TheLordthusenabledHisBhaktatogetoverthefamine.Hecontinuedhisdaily PujainthetempleandfinallyreachedtheLord’sAbode.

57.KOTPULINAYANAR

ThissaintwasaVellalabycaste.HewastheCommander-in-ChiefofaCholaking.Hewas highlydevotedtoLordSiva.Hewasverypiousandvirtuous.Itwashispracticetopurchasepaddy outofhisincomeandgiveittoSivatemplesfortheLord’sfood.Hewasdoingthisforalongtime.

Oncehehadtogooutonmilitaryduty.So,hestockedasufficientquantityofpaddyforthe templeuse,handeditovertohisrelatives,withclearinstructionsthatitwasmeantonlyfortheLord andthattheyshouldnottouchitfortheirownuse.Duringhisabsence,therewasafamineandhis relativeshadtosufferforwantoffood.So,theylaidtheirhandsonthepaddymeantfortheLord andappeasedtheirhunger.TheNayanarreturnedfromhisdutyandheardofhisrelatives’action. Hewasannoyedwiththem.Hecalledthemtohishouseandkilledthem,includinghisparents,for thiscrime.HissupremelovefortheLordhadsocompletelyovershadowedhisloveforhisownnear anddearones!TheLordappearedatoncebeforehimandblessedhim,andalsoalltherelativeswho haddiedathishand,andtookthemalltoHisAbode.

58.PUSALARNAYANAR

PusalarwasaBrahminofTiruNinravurinThondaiMandalam.Heexcelledinthemental worshipoftheLord.Mentalworshipisthousandsoftimesbetterthanexternalritualisticworship: mentalworshipsoonleadstoSamadhi(superconsciousstate)andSelf-realisation.Hestrongly desiredtobuildatempleforLordSiva,buthedidnothavethemoneyforit.So,mentallyhe gatheredthenecessarymaterialsforthepurpose.Helaidthefoundationstoneonanauspiciousday. Heraisedthetempleandhadevenfixedanauspiciousdayfortheinstallationofthedeityinit.

TheKadavakingwhowasalsoagreatdevoteeofLordSivahadbuiltamagnificenttemple inConjeevaram.BychancehehadalsofixedthedatewhichPusalarhadmentallychosen,forthe installationoftheLordinhistemple.TheLordwantedtoshowthekingthesuperiorityofPusalar’s greatdevotion.So,theLordappearedintheking’sdreamandaskedhimtopostponetheinstallation ceremonyinhistemple,asHewouldbegoingtothetempleconstructedbyHisdevoteeatTiru Ninravur.ThekingwokeupfromsleepandwasintenselyeagertohavetheDarshanofthedevotee mentionedbytheLordandalsohavealookatthegreattemplehehadbuilt,whichhethoughtwould befarsuperiortohistemple.

ThekingcametoTiruninravurandsearchedallovertheplaceforthetemple:hecouldnot findany.ThenthekingenquiredaboutPusalar.HefoundoutPusalar’shouseandapproachedhim. Pusalarwasstunnedwhenheheardoftheking’sdream.Soon,herecoveredandwasfilledwithjoy. Hethought:‘HowkindandmercifulistheLord.IamonlyawretchedcreatureandHehasaccepted mymentalshrineasHisAbode.Iamreallyblessed.’Hetoldthekingthatthattemplewasonlyin hismind.Thekingwasgreatlysurprisedtohearthis.AdmiringPulasar’sdevotion,thekingfellat hisfeetandworshippedhim.PulasarinstalledtheLordinhismentaltempleandcontinuedto worshipHimtillheattainedHisAbode.

59.NESANAYANAR

ThissaintwasthenativeofKampili.Hewasaweaver.HewashighlydevotedtotheLord andHisBhaktas.HismindwaswellfixedonthelotusfeetoftheLord.Hislipsalwaysutteredthe PanchaksharaMantra.HishandswereeverbusyintheserviceofHisBhaktas.Thesethreevirtues gainedtheLord’sgraceforhim.

HereisanotherinstanceofthegloryoftheNameofGod.Wehavealreadyseenthegloryof theLord’sName(Vide page51)whilestudyingthelifeofSirapulliNayanar.Constantrepetitionof theMantraenablesyoutorememberHimalways,throughoutthedayandevenduringsleep!The techniqueisthis:assoonasyouwakeupinthemorning,sitdownforhalfanhourandmentally repeattheMantra.Andkeepupthecurrentduringyourwork,too,bywithdrawingyourselffora fewmomentseveryhourandmentallyvisualisingthepresenceoftheLordinyouandmentally repeatingtheMantra.Ifyouareestablishedinthispractice,verysoonyouwillfindthatevenwhen youaretalkingorareengagedinotheractivities—nay,evenduringsleep,themindgoeson repeatingtheMantra.YouwillgetGod-realisation.InadditiontothisgloriousJapaYoga,Nesa NayanaralsopractisedtheYogaofSynthesis.HethoughtofGod,helivedforGod,heworkedfor God,hewashighlydevotedtoGodandlovedHim.

60.KOCHENGATCHOLANAYANAR

InChandraTirthaintheCholakingdomtherewasathickgrove.Inthatgroveundera JambultreetherewasaSivaLingam.Awhiteelephantusedtocometheredailyandprostrate beforetheLingam.AspiderwhichwasalsodevotedtoHim,noticedthatdryleaveswerefallingon HimandtopreventthiswoveawebabovetheLingam.

Thenextdaywhentheelephantcametoworship,hefoundtheweb,and,thinkingthat someonehadpollutedtheplace,toretheweb,offeredhisworshipandwentaway.Thespidercame uponthescene,feltsorrythathiswebhadbeendestroyed,woveanotherwebandwentaway.The nextday,astheelephantwaspullingthewebaway,thespiderwhichwaspresentthere,gavehima sting:theelephantdiedofthepoisononthespot.Thespider,too,wascaughtintheelephant’s trunk,andperished.

DuetoHisgrace,thisspiderwasbornasthesonofSubaDevan,theCholaking.Heandhis dutifulwifewenttoChidambaramandeagerlyprayedtotheLordNatarajaforason.TheLord grantedtheirwish.SoonKamalavaticonceivedthechild.Thedayofdeliveryarrived.Astrologers foretoldthatifthechildcouldbedeliveredafewminuteslater,itwouldrulethethreeworlds!The

queenaskedthatsheshouldbetiedtotheroofoftheroomupsidedown,withatightbandage aroundherwaist.Whentheauspicioustimecame,shewasreleasedandthechildwasborn.This wasthespiderreborn!Thechildhadredeyesashehadremainedinhismother’swombalittle longer.Themother,lookingintohiseyes,said:‘Kochekannano’(thechildwithredeyes),and expired.Hence,hewasnamedKochengatCholan.Whenhereachedtheproperage,hisfather enthronedhimking,retiredfromtheworldand,afterseverepenance,reachedtheLord’sAbode.

KochengatCholanpromotedSaivism.InTiruAnaiKahebuiltabeautifultempleand installedtheSivaLingamunderthesameJambultree!InCholaNaduhebuiltmanyshrinesand mansionsfortheuseofthethreethousandBrahminsofTillai.Heprovidedforregularworshipat Chidambaran.FinallyhereachedtheLord’sAbode.HisgloriesweresungbythepoetPoygayarin his‘KalavazhiNarpathu’.

61.TIRUNEELAKANTAYAZHPANAR

InTiruErukattanpuliyur,intheCholakingdom,therelivedanardentdevoteeofLordSiva bynameTiruNeelakantaYazhpanar.HewasanexpertinplayingtheYazh(Veena,amusical instrument).ItwashishabittovisitmanysacredshrinesandsingHisgloriesontheYazh.Heonce wenttoMadura.Hewasstandingattheentranceandsinging.TheLordwantedtohearhimatclose quartersandsoaskedthedevoteesintheirdream,tobringYazhpanarintotheinnershrinethenext day.WhentheBrahminstookhiminsidetheshrine,Yazhpanarwassurprised,butunderstoodit wasHisLilaandthatHewantedtohearhimplayontheYazh.Ashewassinging,avoicewasheard intheheaven:‘Iftheinstrumentrestsonthewetfloor,itwillbespoilt:givehimagoldenseatto occupy.’Atonceagoldenseatwasofferedtohim.YazhpanarprostratedtotheLordandsangof Hissupremecompassion,standingonthegoldenseat.

YazhpanarthenwenttoTiruvarurand,here,too,heremainedoutsidetheshrineandsang. Andhere,too,theLordwantedhimtosinginHisimmediatepresence.So,Hecreatedanother openingonthenorthernsideofthetemple.YazhpanarunderstoodtheLord’swillandentered throughthegateandsanginHisPresence.HowhejoinedSambandarandgotLiberation,hasbeen toldinSambandar’slife.

62.SADAYANAYANARAND 63.ISAIJNANIYAR

InTirunavalurinTirumuraipaditherelivedanAdiSaivitebynameSadayanar.Allhis ancestorswereardentdevoteesofLordSiva.Hewasalsopiousanddevoted.Isaijnaniyarwashis dutifulwife.ShewasalsodevotedtotheLord.Duetotheirvirtuousdeedsintheirpastlife,adivine childwasborntothem.HewasnootherthanSundaramurthiNayanar.NarasingaMunaiyar,the king,wasattractedbythechild’sbeautyandwantedtobringituphimself.Thekingapproachedthe parentsandthey,withoutamoment’shesitation,handedthechildovertohim.Bythisaction,they showedthattheyhadnoattachmentatalltoanythinginthisworld.

TheyledtheidealGrihastha(household)lifeandfinallyattainedHisgrace.

KOCHENGATCHOLANAYANAR

WorldlyattachmentistheonlychainwithwhichmanbindshimselftothisSamsara.When thereisattachment,thereisSamsaraorbondage:ifyouarecompletelydetached,youareatonce freed,youbecomeaJivanmukta.YouenjoytheBlissofBrahmanhereandnow,thisverymoment. ThisistheuniquegloryofHinduism:itpromisesimmediateLiberationhereinthisworld,whileyet embodied!ImmediatelytheentireworldistransformedintoamanifestationofDivineLight.All theparadoxesandmysteriesofCreationareunderstood.

MANICKAVACHAGAR

InTiruvadavurinthePandyakingdomtherelivedapiousBrahmin.Heandhisdutifulwife, duetomeritearnedinpastlives,gotaworthysonwhomtheynamedVadavurar,afterthenative place.

Asthechildgrew,hiswisdomincreasedaswell.Soonhehadmasteredallthescriptures.He alsoshoneastheembodimentofallvirtuesandwontheloveandesteemofall.Evenlearned Punditsandsaintswereattractedbyhispersonalityandwisdom.ThekingofMadura,Arimardana Pandyan,heardofVadavurar’squalitiesanddiscoveredthathewasanall-rounderandwas proficientinadministrationalso.ThekingmadehimhisPrimeMinister.EvenhereVadavurar shonewithextraordinarybrillianceandwonthetitleofTennavanParamarayar.

Asdayspassed,however,dispassiongrewinVadavurar’sheart.Hehadrealisedthe unrealityoftheworld.Tohimeverythingwaspainful:birth,disease,death,rebirth,etc.Hewanted toenjoytheeternalblissofSivanandam.Evenwhilehewasadministeringtheaffairsofthestate, hismindwasfixedontheLotusFeetoftheLord.Hewouldinvitelearnedmenanddiscusswith themtheintricatepointsintheVedas.Soon,herealisedthataGuruwasnecessaryforrealspiritual progress.HelongedtomeettherealGuru.Wheneverhewentoutonduty,healsosearchedforhis Guru.

Oneday,whilethekingwasholdinghisCourt,theheadofhiscavalryenteredandinformed himthatthecavalryneededimmediatereplenishment,asage,deathandsicknesshadgreatly depleteditsstrength.Thekingimmediatelyorderedthepurchaseofgoodhorses.Thetaskof buyinggoodhorsesfromtherightplacewasentrustedtoVadavurar.Hewasextremelyhappy,ashe wassurethathewouldfindhisrealGuru,duringthattour.ItwasaGod-sentopportunityforhim. HeofferedsincereprayertoLordSomasundararinHistempleand,besmearingHisholyashonhis bodyandwithHisnameonhislips,Vadavurarstartedontheerrandofbuyinghorses,withenough money.HereachedTiruPerunturai.

LordSiva,WhoistheIndwellerofallheartsandsoknewVadavurar’smentalcondition, haddecidedtotakehimtothedivinefold.IntheguiseofaBrahminandwithacopyofthebook SivaJnanaBodam inhishand,theBrahminwasseatedunder aKurunta treenearthetempleatTiru Perunturai.Hewassurroundedbyothers(thecelestialservantsindisguise).Vadavurarenteredthe templeandstoodmotionlessbeforetheLord,inintenseprayer.HeshedtearsofGod-love.Thenhe wentroundthetemple.NearthetreeheheardtheholyvibrationsoftheLord’sName(Hara,Hara) whichmeltedhisheart.TheBrahmin’smagneticpersonalityattractedhim.Withoverflowinglove anddevotion,VadavurarrantotheBrahmin,asacalftoitsmother,afteralongseparation:andhe fellattheBrahmin’sfeet.

ByHisgrace,VadavurarwasabletorecognisehimashisrealGuru.Holdinghisfeetwith hishandsVadavurarprayed:‘OhLord,kindlyacceptmeasyourslaveandblessme.’TheLordwas waitingforthis!HecastagracefulglanceonVadavurar.Thisatonceremovedallhissinsand purifiedhisheart.ThentheLordinitiatedhimintothedivinemysteriesofSivaJnana.Thisvery initiationentrancedhim.Hetastedthedivineblissandwasself-forgetfullyabsorbedinit.Then VadavurarregainedhisconsciousnessandagainfellattheGuru’sfeet.Heprayed:‘OhLord,Who hascometoinitiatemeintothedivinemysteries!OhLordWhohascaptivatedmebyamerelook! OhLordWhohasmeltedmymind!OhLordWhohasmademesurrenderallwealth,body,mind andsoul!OhmyJewel!OhWealthImperishable!OhOceanofBliss!OhNectarofImmortality! ProstrationsuntoYou!’SingingHisgloriesthus,Vadavurarremovedallhisbelongingsandoffered allattheFeetoftheGuru.HehadbecomeaSanyasi.Smearinghisbodywithsacredashes,fixing hismindonthelotusfeetoftheGuru,Vadavurarplungedintodeepmeditation.Whenheawoke fromthismeditation,hewasfilledwithaneagernesstosingthegloriesoftheLord.Withloveasthe stringandhisnectarinewordsasthegems,hemadeagarlandandoffereditattheGuru’sfeet.The Lordwashighlypleasedwithit,andcalledhim ‘Manickavachagar’ sincethehymnssungbyhim werelikegemsinwisdom.TheLordaskedhimtostayonatthatplace,anddisappeared.

SeparationfromtheLordandGuru,madeManickavachakarsufferintensepainand anguish.Soon,heconsoledhimselfandlivedintheremembranceoftheLordandGuru.Theking’s servantswhohadaccompaniedVadavurarthoughtthathehadforgottenthemission,and,so,after waitingforafewdays,gentlyremindedhim.Manickavachagarsentthembacktothekingwiththe messagethatthehorseswouldreachMadurawithinonemonth.Whenheheardofwhathad happenedtoVadavurar,thekingwasangry:but,waitedpatientlyforamonth.

AtTiruperunturai,ManickavachagarwasdevotedtotheLord,forgettingthekingandthe mission:andhespentthemoneyhehadbrought,intheconstructionofatemple.Afterwaitingfora month,thekingsenthimanangrynoteremindinghimthatoneshouldbeasalertindealingwiththe kingasonewouldbewhendealingwithacobra,andaskinghimtoappearbeforethekingatonce. Manickavachagarwasupset.Hewenttothetemple.HeprayedfortheLord’sprotection.Movedby hissincereprayer,theLordappearedinhisdreamthatnightinthesameformoftheGuruwho initiatedhimandsaid:‘Ohnoblesoul,fearnot.ImyselfwillbringthebesthorsestoMadura.You cangoinadvance.TellthekingthatthehorseswillarrivethereonAvaniMoolam.’TheLord disappearedafterplacingaverycostlydiamondinhishands.

Thenextmorning,ManickavachagartookleaveoftheLordofPerunturaianddonninghis ministerialrobesstartedforMadura.Hebowedbeforethekingandgavehimthediamond.He explained:‘YourMajesty,IhavealreadypurchasedthehorsesfortheentiremoneyIhadtaken.I waswaitingforanauspiciousdayonwhichtobringthehorseshere.AvaniMoolamisan auspiciousday.Inthemeantime,ascommandedbyYourMajesty,Ihavereturned.Thehorseswill reachhereontheauspiciousday.’Thekingapologisedtohimfortherashnotehehadsent. Manickavachagarbuiltabigstableforthehorses.

Hisrelatives,apprehensiveoftherealstateofManickavachagar’smind,appealedtohimto lookafterthemandnottorenouncetheworld.Helaughedandsaid:‘Ohfriends,thedaytheLord initiatedme.IhaveofferedeverythingatHisFeet.IhavenownorelativesexcepttheLordandHis devotees.Ihavenoconnectionwiththisbody,even.MyonlyattachmentiswiththeLordWhois

theremoverofalloursinsandbestowerofImmortalBliss.Birthispainful.Deathispainful. EverythingthatisnotconnectedwiththeLordispainful.Idonotworryaboutanythingintheworld now.Iwillbeghappilywithmypalmasmybeggingbowlandappeasemyhungerwiththefood thatisreceivedbychance.Whentheearthisreadytogivemeshelter,whyshouldIresorttoa specialdwellingplace?TheperfumeIsmearmybodywithisthesacredash.Myonlybelongingis thegarlandofRudrakshawhichdestroysthesinsofmanybirths.Ohfriends,whenIamunderHis protection,whyshouldIfearanybody?’

WithhisthoughtfixedontheLord,Manickavachagarwasexpectingtheauspiciousday.In themeantime,oneoftheministershadtoldthekingthatintruthManickavachagarhadspentallthe moneyintheconstructionoftemplesandthatManickavachagar’sstatementwasfalse.Theking’s suspicionincreased.HesentsomemessengerstoPerunturaitoseewhetherthehorseswerereally there.Theyreturnedwithanegativereply.Onlytwodaysremainednow.Thekingdidnotgetany informationaboutthehorses.So,heorderedhissoldierstotortureManickavachagarandgetthe moneyback.TheyinformedManickavachagarofallthathadhappenedintheCourt.Hekeptquiet. Theytormentedhim,accordingtotheking’sorders.Heboreeverything,fixinghismindonthe Lord.TheLordHimselfboreallthetorture,andtheBhaktawasrelieved.Thesoldierscouldnot understandthesecretofhisendurance.Theytorturedhimfurther!HeprayedtotheLord.TheLord heardHisBhakta’sprayerandwantedtoplayHisLila.Hewilledthatallthejackalsoftheplace shouldassumetheformofhorses.HealsosentHiscelestialservantstoactashorsemen.He Himselfassumedtheformofatraderinhorses.HereachedMadura.Thedustraisedbythe galloppinghorsesfilledthesky.Thepeoplewerewonderstrucktoseethefinehorses.Thatdaywas AvaniMoolam.ThethoughtthathehadunnecessarilytorturedManickavachagarpainedtheking’s heart.Heatoncereleasedhimandapologisedtohim.Bothofthemwenttotheplacewherethe horseshadbeenstationed.Thekingwashappytoseethegoodqualityofthehorses.Themerchant wasalsoveryhandsome.ManickavachagarknewthatitwastheLordHimselfandsomentally prostratedtoHim.Theking’sservantsledthehorsestothestable.

Daypassedintonight.InaccordancewiththeLord’swill,thehorsesassumedtheiroriginal formofjackals,brokethereinsandfledfromthestable,howling.Someoftheminjuredeventhe realhorses.Afewoldjackalsremainedinthestable.Thenextmorning,thehorsemendidnotfind anyofthehorsesandtherewereonlyafewoldjackalsinthestable.Theyimmediatelyreportedthe mattertotheking.ThekinggotterriblyangrywithManickavachagarwho,hethought,had deceivedhimbymagic.Theking’ssoldiersagainbegantotorturehimandManickavachagar prayedtotheLordforHishelp.AtoncetheLordcausedaheavyfloodintheriverVaigai.There waspaniceverywhereinthetown.Thepeoplecouldnotunderstandthecauseofthisuntimely flood.ThesoldierswhowereguardingManickavachagaralsofled.Hewenttothetemple.He worshippedLordSomasundararandwascompletelyabsorbedinmeditation.Thekingwas puzzled.Hewantedtosavethecityfromdestruction.So,heorderedeveryoneinthecitytobring onebasketfulofmudandthrowitonthebankoftherivertostemtheflood.Everyone,exceptanold womanbynameVandi,didso.Shesold Pittu (asweetmeat)andekedoutherlivelihood.Shewasso muchdevotedtoLordSomasundararthatshewoulddailyofferittoHimfirstandthensellit.She wasindistress.

SheprayedtotheLordforhelp.LordSiva,outofHiscompassion,appearedasalabourer beforetheoldwomanandofferedhisservicesinreturnforahandfulofPittu.Withadirtycloth

aroundhiswaistandabasketonhishead,hewouldsinganddanceandthenputthemudonthebank oftheriver.Heateherkindofferingandthrewthemudwithsuchforcethatitcausednewbreaches! Forsometimehewouldsitidleandagainsinganddance.Theking’sservantsfoundthebreachnot closedwheretheLordwasworkingandreportedthemattertotheking.Thekingwhopersonally supervisedthework,noticedtheidlenessofthelabourer,andhithimwithastick.TheLordthrew themudonthebreachanditwasclosed.Theblow,however,wasfeltbyallbeingsinthewhole universe.ThekingatonceunderstoodthatitwasalltheLord’sLila.Herecognisedthegreatnessof Manickavachagar.Atthattime,heheardaninvisiblevoice:‘Ohking,yourentirewealthwasspent onMeandMyBhaktas.BythisactManickavachagarearnedforyougreatmerit.Insteadofbeing gratefultohim,youhavetorturedhim.Thejackalsturningintohorses,andthissuddenflood,were allLilasperformedbyMeforthesakeofMydevotee.Atleastnowopenyoureyesandlearna lessonforyourfuture.’

Inthemeantime,Manickavachagarhadreachedthetempleandwasabsorbedinmeditation. He,too,felttheblowthatthekinggavetheLord.Hegotupfrommeditation.Thekingwasinsearch ofhim.OnthewayhelearntthattheoldwomanhadbeentakentotheLord’sAbodeinacelestial car.HecametothetempleinTiruAlavaiandprostratedbeforeManickavachagar.Herequested Manickavachagartoaccepttherulershipofthekingdom.Thesaintrefusedthisofferbutaskedtobe permittedtogotoPerunturai.BothofthemcametoMaduraandworshippedtheLord. ManickavachagarthenleftforPerunturai.Thekingalsorenouncedeverythingsoonafterthisand reachedtheLord’sAbode.

AtPerunturai,Manickavachagarsanghighlyinspiringsongsandprayedthatheshouldsee theLordintheformoftheGuru,asHeappearedatfirst.TheLordfulfilledhiswish.Heaskedhim togotoChidambaram.Onthewayhevisitedmanyshrines.Ineveryshrine,unlesstheLord appearedintheoriginalformoftheGuru,hewouldnotbesatisfied.AtTiruUttarakoshaMangai, heweptbitterlywhenhedidnotseeHimastheGuru.TheLordhadtoaccedetohiswish!Bystages hereachedChidambaramandrolledontheholyground.Hestayedinagardennearthetempleand sangthefamous Tiruvachagam.ThepeopleofTillaiheardthesongsandenjoyeditsbliss.

InEzhaNadu(Ceylon)therewasanasceticwhowasconstantlyrepeating‘LongLive Ponnambalam’.Thekingoftheplacecouldnotunderstandthis,ashewasaBuddhist,andhad calledtheascetictohim.Theasceticwenttothepalaceandsatdowninfrontofthekingwiththe samewords!Uponbeingaskedbythekingtoexplainthemeaning,theasceticsaid:‘Ohking, PonnambalamisasacredplaceintheCholakingdom.ThisplaceisalsocalledChidambaram.Here theFormlessGodtakesaForm,ofNataraja,thedivinedancer,forthewelfareoftheworld.The objectofHisdanceistofreethesoulsfromthefettersofMaya.Insidethetemplethereisatank calledSivaJnanaGangatank.InthistankHiranyavarman,thesonofManu,tookhisbathandgot hisleprosycured.ThosewhotakeabathinthissacredtankandthenworshipLordNatarajaare purifiedofallsins.Forthemtherewillbenomorebirth.TheywillattainEternalBliss.’

TheBuddhistGuruwhoheardallthisquestioned:‘Ohking,howcantherebeaGodother thanLordBuddha?IwillmyselfgotoChidambaramanddefeattheSaiviteinargumentandconvert thetempleintoaBuddhistshrine.’SosayingheleftforTillai.Thekingalsoaccompaniedhim,with hisdumbdaughter.

TheSaivitessentamessagetotheCholakingaskinghimtoarrangeadebatewiththe BuddhistswhenthelatterhadarrivedatChidambaram.Thedaypriortotheappointedday,the BrahminsprayedtoLordNatarajaforsuccessinthedebate.ThatnighttheLordappearedintheir dreamandsaid:‘ApproachVadavurarandrequesthimtoopposetheBuddhistGuruinargument’. Thenextmorning,theBrahminsapproachedVadavurarwhoreadilyagreed.Hewenttothetemple, worshippedtheLord,andenteredthehallofthedebate.Hedidnotliketoseethefaceofthe Buddhists:so,hesatbehindacurtain.TheBuddhistsopenedthedebate.Manickavachagar explainedtheprinciplesofSaivism.TheBuddhistscouldnotoffercounter-arguments.Theywent onrepeatingtheirarguments!ManickavachagarprayedtotheLordforhelp.AtHisinstance,Devi SarasvathiwithdrewHergracefromtheBuddhists,andtheybecamedumb.TheBuddhistswere defeatedinargument.

TheBuddhistkingunderstoodManickavachagar’sgreatness.Hesaid:‘Youhavemademy teacherandallhisdisciplesdumb.Ifyoucanmakemydumbdaughterspeak,Iandmysubjectswill embraceSaivism.’Manickavachagaraskedhimtobringhisdaughter.HeprayedtotheLordforHis helpandthenaskedthegirltogiveproperanswertothequestionsputbytheBuddhistGuruonLord Siva.Thedumbdaughternotonlybegantospeakbutgavefittinganswerstothosequestions.They wereallwonder-struckatthismiracle.ThekingandtheBuddhistsrecognisedthesuperiorityof Saivismandembracedit.ManickavachagarrestoredspeechtotheBuddhistsalso.

OnedayLordSivadesiredtohearTiruvachagamfromthelipsofManickavachagarand bestowMokshaonhim.HewenttoManickavachagarinthedisguiseofaBrahmin. Manickavachagarwelcomedtheguestwithrespectandenquiredofhisneeds.LordSivatold Manickavachagar:‘IwanttohearTiruvachagamfromyourownholylips.Ishallwriteitdown,so thatIcanlearnitandwithitshelpfreemyselffromtheshacklesofSamsara.’Manickavachagar recitedtheTiruvachagam.TheBrahmin(LordSiva)wroteitdownonpalmleaves.Thenhe suddenlydisappeared!AtonceManickavachagarknewthattheBrahminwastheLordHimself.He feltterribleanguishfornothavingrecognisedHim.

TheLordwantedtoimmortaliseManickavachagarandtospreadhisglory.So,Hekept thesesongsonthestepofPanchaksharaoftheChitSabha.TheBrahminsofTillaiweresurprisedto seethemlyingthere.Theyopenedtheleavesandreadthecontents.Intheenditwaswritten ‘Manickavachagarrepeatedthis,TiruChitrambalamwrotethis.’TheBrahminswantedtoknowthe meaningoftheseverses:sotheyshowedthistoManickavachagarwhotookthemtothetemple, and,pointingouttotheimageofLordSiva,said:‘ThisTillaiNatarajaisthepurportofthese stanzas.’HeatoncemergedhimselfattheFeetofLordNataraja.

SELECTIONSFROMTHEUTTERANCESOFNAYANARSAINTS

SELECTIONSFROMTHEUTTERANCESOFNAYANAR SAINTS

ApparOrTirunavukkarasar

TherarejeweloftheBrahminsistheVedawithitssix angas (parts).Therarejewelofthe SaiviteisthePanchakshara.

EverythingisthemanifestationofLordSiva.SivaisNarayana,Brahma,thefourVedas,the Holiest,themostAncient,thePerfect.ThoughSivaisallthese,Heisnoneofthese.Heiswithout name,withoutbirth,deathordisease.Heisatoncethetranscendentandtheimmanent.

LoveofLordSivamustbefeltandmanifested.Sing.Pray.Worship.Weep.Dance.Lord Sivaisthemusicormelodyinthesong,thesweetnessinthefruit,thethoughtinthemind,thelustre intheeyes.Heisneithermale,norfemale.Heiswithoutdimensions.

Subduethesenses.Practiseregularmeditation.Practisethefour-foldSaivitediscipline. Developdispassion(Vairagya).Transcendthethreebodies.Unitetheindividualsoulwiththe supremesoulorLordSiva.Youwillattaineternalblissandimmortality.YoucanbeholdLordSiva ifyoulookforHimwiththelightofwisdomissuingforthfromthewickoflife,fedwiththe ghee of meditationinthelampofthemindwithinthehouseofyourbody.

Ploughwithtruth.PlanttheseedsofdesireforSelf-knowledge.Irrigatethemindwiththe waterofpatience.Superviseyourworkbylookingwithinorintrospecting.Buildthefenceof Yama,Niyama,orrightconductorrightliving.YouwillsoonattainSivanandamoreternalblissof Siva.

RegardyourbodyasthetempleofLordSiva,yourmindastheworshipper,Truthaspurity whichisnecessaryforworship,thejewelofthemindastheLingam,loveastheghee,milk,etc. PerformPujatoLordSivathus.LordSivacannotbeobtainedwithoutmakingthemindone-pointed andmeditatingonthePanchakshara.

Tirumular

TirumandiramdealswiththepracticalandtheoreticalaspectsofSaivitereligionand philosophy.ThetreatmentofPathi(LordSiva),Pasu(individualsoul),andPasam(attachment)in theoldmethodisfoundinthisbook.

BythepracticeoftheeightlimbsofRajaYoga,theYogiobtainstheblessingofUmaand attainsAmarapadavi(Godhood)bythepracticeofYama(self-restraint).HeattainsSivaPadamthe (AbodeofSiva)bythepracticeofNiyama(religiouscanons).HehearsNadam(mysticsound)by thepracticeofAsana(Yogaposture).Heattainsthestage,bythepracticeofPranayama(restraintof breath)inwhichallthegodseulogisehim.HeattainstheformofSivabythepracticeofPratyahara (abstractionofthesenses)andthegodsbecomeconfusedastheycannotdifferentiatehimfrom Siva.HecangoanywhereincludingtheworldsofBrahmaandVishnubythepracticeofDharana (concentration).Hecanwalkintoanyplacejustasonecanwalkonearth.HeattainstheAbodeof

Brahma,Vishnu,RudraandIndra,bythepracticeofDhyana(meditation).Hefreeshimselffrom alltheUpadhis(limitingadjuncts)orfettersanduniteswithLordSivabythepracticeofSamadhi (superconsciousstate).

GodaloneistheGuruorthespiritualteacher.HerevealsSiva.SatGuruisAmbalamor Chidakasa(thedivineplaneofConsciousness).YouwillhavetosearchfortheGuruinyourown heart.Knowledge,devotion,purity,Siddhis(psychicpowers)areobtainedthroughthegraceofthe Guru.Thegracedescendsonthevirtuousaspirantwhohaspurity,dispassion,etc.

ThethirstingaspirantsshouldgethelpfromtheParamGuru.Heimpartsspiritual instructionstotheaspirants.ThenSuddhaGuruconfersuponthemdivinegrace.Whentheaspirant obtainsthedivinegrace,hegetsseveralpowers:purity,thepowertoknowtheMantra,higher psychicpowers,etc.ThentheSadGururevealshimintheChidakasa(theseatofConsciousnessin theetheroftheheart),breaksthethreebonds,viz.,Anava(egoism),Karma(action)andMaya (illusion),andhelpshimtoentertheillimitabledomainofMokshaorsupremeabodeofeternal bliss.SivaGurupresentshimselflateronandmanifestsSat(Reality),Asat(unreality)andSat-asat (thatwhichisindescribableaseither).WhentheJiva(individualsoul)attainsthefinalknowledge hebecomesSivamHimself.TheGuruwhopresentshimselfintheearlierstages,too,isSiva Himself.

ThedevoteeattainsthegraceoftheLordwhenhemeditatesonHiminthechambersofhis heart;inthespacebetweenthetwoeye-browsandinthehead.TheholyFeetoftheLordarehighly eulogised.TheholyFeetoftheLordareMantra,beautyandtruth.

JneyaorthatwhichistobeknownisSivaAnandawhichisaproductofSivaandHisgrace, Shakti.TheJnata(knower)istheindividualsoulorJiva.HeknowsSivabyabidinginSivaAnanda andobtainsJnanamorKnowledge.

MokshaistheattainmentofSivaAnanda.HewhoattainsMokshawillattainsupreme knowledgeofSiva.HewhogetsestablishedinSivaAnandawillattainknowledgeandMoksha (finalemancipation).

TheJivawhoknowsSivaAnandadwellsforeverinit.HeattainsSivaandShaktiinSiva Ananda.HeisendowedwithtrueknowledgewhichisreallyunionofSivaandShakti.LordSiva showsthepathwhichleadstoMoksha,totheaspirantwhoisendowedwithdispassion, non-attachment,andrenunciation,andwhopraisesHimalwaysandperformsregularworship.

ThedevoteeofLordSivagetsstrengthtoresistthetemptationsoftheworldandIndra, throughhisTapasorausterity.HedoesnotcareatallforthecelestialpleasuresofferedbyIndra.He isquitecontentedwiththeSupremeBlissattainedthroughunionwithLordSiva.

GLORYOFLORDSIVA

OMIbowwithfoldedpalmstoLordSivaWhoistheLordoftheuniverse,WorldTeacher, WhoistheDestroyerofTripuras(threecitiesoflust,angerandegoism),WhoistheLordofUma, Gauri,Ganga,Whoisfulloflight,knowledgeandbliss,WhoistheLordofYogis,whoisthe storehouseofknowledgeandWhoisknownbythevariousnamesasMahadeva,Sankara,Hara, Sambhu,Sadashiva,Rudra,Soolapani,Bhairava,Uma-Maheshwara,Neelakantha,Trilochana, Tryambaka,Viswanatha,Chandrasekhara,Ardhanaareesvara,Maheshwara,Neelalohita,Parama Siva,Digambara,Dakshinamurthi,etc.

HowmercifulHeis!HowlovingandkindHeis!HeevenwearstheskullsofHisdevotees asagarlandaroundHisneck.Heisanembodimentofrenunciation,mercy,loveandwisdom.Itisa mistaketosaythatHeisthedestroyer.LordSivainrealityistheregenerator.Wheneverone’s physicalbodybecomesunfitforfurtherevolutioninthisbirth,eitherbydisease,oldageorother causes,Heatonceremovesthisrottenphysicalsheathandgivesanew,healthy,vigorousbodyfor furtherquickevolution.HewantstotakeallHischildrentoHisLotusFeetquickly.Hedesiresto givethemHisglorious‘Siva-Padam’.ItiseasiertopleaseSivathantopleaseHari.AlittlePrem anddevotion,alittlechantingofHisPanchakshara(theMantra OMNAMAHSIVAYA whichhas fiveletters)isquitesufficienttoinfusedelightinSiva.HegivesboonstoHisdevoteesquitereadily. HowlargeisHisheart!HegavePasupathaAstra(aweapon)toArjuna,withoutanydifficulty,for hislittlepenance.HegaveapreciousboontoBhasmasura.InKalahasthi,nearTirupathi,Hegave DarshantoKannapaNayanar,thedevotedhunter.InChidambaram,eventheuntouchablesaint NandanhadtheDarshanofLordSiva.HeranwithtremendousspeedtomaketheboyMarkandeya immortal,whenhewasintheclutchesoftheGodofDeath—Yama.RavanaofLankapleasedLord Siva,withhisSama-chantings(SamaisoneofthethreeVedas).HeinitiatedtheFourDivine Youths(Sanaka,Sanandana,Sanathana,Sanatkumara)intothemysteriesofJnana,intheformof Dakshinamurthy.InMaduraHeassumedtheformofaboyandcarriedearthonHisheadfora devotedlady.LookatHisunboundedmercyforHisdevotees!WhenBrahmaandVishnuwentto findouttheHeadandFeetofLordSiva,Heassumedtheformofaninfinite,expansiveblazeof light.Theywerebaffled.Howmagnificentandself-effulgentHeis!Helivedforseveralyearsinthe houseofPattinathuSwamiofSouthIndia,ashisadoptedson,anddisappeared,aftergivinghimthe smallnote:‘Eventhebrokenneedleswillnotfollowyouafterdeath.’Thereadingofthisnotewas thestartingpointforattainmentofJnanafortheSwami.Whydoyouallnotattemptthisvery second,withsincerity,torealiseGod?

HathaYogisawakentheKundaliniShaktithatislyingdormantintheMuladharaChakra, byAsana,Pranayama,Kumbhaka,MudraandBandha,takingitupthroughdifferentChakras (centresofspiritualenergy)viz.,Swadhisthana,Manipura,Anahata,VishuddhaandAjna,andjoin itwithLordSivaattheSahasrara,thethousand-petalledlotusatthecrownofthehead.Theydrink thenectarofImmortality.ThisistermedAmrita-Srava.WhentheShaktiisunitedwithSiva,full illuminationcomestotheYogi.

LordSivarepresentsthedestructiveaspectofBrahman.ThatportionofBrahmanthatis envelopedbyTamo-guna-pradhana-MayaisLordSivaWhoistheall-pervadingIswara,andWho alsodwellsinKailasa.Heisthestorehouseofwisdom.Siva minus ParvathyispureInfiniteBeing. WithMaya,HebecomesSagunaBrahman(personalGod)forthepurposeofpiousdevotionofHis

devotees.DevoteesofLordRamamustworshipSivaalso.RamaHimselfworshippedLordSivaat thefamousRameshvaram.LordSivaistheLordofasceticsandLordofYoginsrobedinspace (naked-Digambaras).

HisTrisul(trident)thatisheldinHisrighthandrepresentsthethreeGunas—Satva,Rajas andTamas.Thatistheemblemofsovereignty.HewieldstheworldthroughtheseGunas.The Damaru(drum)inHislefthandrepresentstheSabdaBrahman(OM)fromwhichalllanguages havebeenformed.ItisHeWhoformedtheSanskritlanguageoutofthesoundoftheDamaru.The wearingofthecrescentmoononHisheadindicatesthatHehascontrolledthemindperfectly.The flowoftheGangarepresentsthenectarofimmortality.Elephantrepresents,symbolically,theVritti (mentalmodification)ofpride.WearingtheskinofanelephantdenotesthatHehascontrolled pride.ThetigerrepresentslustandhissittingontheskinindicatesthatHehasconqueredlust.His holdingadeerinonehandindicatesthatHehasremovedthetossingorwanderingnatureofthe mind.Deerjumpsfromoneobjecttoanother.HiswearingofserpentsaroundHisneckdenotes wisdomandeternity.Serpentsliveforalargenumberofyears,andrepresentTimewhichglides awaysmoothly!HeisTrilochana(Three-eyed),inthecentreofwhoseforeheadisthethirdeye,the eyeofwisdom.Nandi,thebullthatsitsinfrontoftheSivaLingamrepresentsPranava(OM).The LingamrepresentsAdwaita(monism).Itpointsout‘Iamonewithoutasecond’justasamanraises hisrighthandabovehisheadpointingouthisrightindexfingeronly.

KailashillsinTibetareahugerangewithacentral,beautiful,naturallycarvedand decoratedshiningpeak,eternallycladwithsilverysnow,22,980feetabovesea-level.Sometake theheighttobe22,028feet.Thisparticularpeakisinthefromofanatural,hugeSivaLingam.This isworshippedastheformofLordSivafromadistance.Thereisneitheratemplenorapriest,nor dailyworshiphere.IhadthefortunetohaveDarshanofKailasthroughthegraceofLordSivaon July22nd,1931.IevenclimbedwithpantingbreathtothefootofKailaspeakwheretheriverIndus takesitsorigin.Itisapicturesqueandsoul-stirringscene.YouwillhavetoascendfromDidipha Guha,thefirsthaltingplaceintheParikrama(circumambulation)ofKailaswhichcovers30miles. Ittakesthreedays.OnthewaycomesthefamousandsacredGauriKundwhichiseternallycovered withsnow.Youwillhavetobreakthesnowwhenyoutakeabath.

ThefollowingarethetwelveJyotirLingasofLordSiva:

1.SomnathinGujerat.

2.MallikarjuninSriSailaParvatnearTirupati.

3.MahakalaminUjjaininGwaliorState.

4.OmkareshwaronthebanksoftheriverNarmadainAmaleshwaram.

5.BhaijnathnearGaya.

6.NaganathinSouthernIndia.

7.KedarnathintheHimalayas.

8.Tryambak,nearthesourceoftheGodavari,intheNasikdistrict,Bombay.

9.RameswaraminSouthIndia.

10.BhimaSankar,nearPoona.

11.ViswanathinBanares.

12.Grineshwar(Gokarna)inKharwardistrict.

Evenifpeoplerememberthese12placesbothmorningandevening,thesinsofsevenbirths willbedestroyed.

THESIVALINGAM

YouwillfindintheLingaPurana:

PradhanamPrakritirYadahurlingamuttamamGandhavarnarasairheenamsabda sparshaadivarjitamTheforemostLingamwhichisprimary,andisdevoidofsmell,colour,taste, hearing,etc.,isspokenofasPrakriti—Nature.

Lingameans markin Sanskrit.Itisasymbolwhichpointstoaninference.Whenyouseea bigfloodinariver,youinferthatthereshouldhavebeenheavyrainsthepreviousday.Whenyou seesmoke,youinferthatthereisfire.ThisworldofcountlessformsisaLingamoftheOmnipotent Lord.TheSivaLingamisasymbolofLordSiva.WhenyoulookattheLingam,yourmindisat onceelevatedandyoubegintothinkoftheLord.

LordSivaisreallyformless.HehasnoformofHisown;and,yet,allformsareHisforms. AllformsarepervadedbyLordSiva.EveryformistheformorLingamofLordSiva.

ThereisamysteriouspowerorindescribableShaktiintheLingam,toinduceconcentration ofthemind.Justasthemindisfocussedeasilyincrystalgazing,themindofadevoteeiseasily concentratedwhenhelooksattheLingam.ThatisthereasonwhytheancientRishisofIndiaand theseershaveprescribedLingamforbeinginstalledinthetemplesofSiva.

SivaLingamspeakstoyouintheunmistakablelanguageofsilence:‘Iamonewithouta second.Iamformless.’Pure,pioussoulsonlycanunderstandthislanguage.Acurious,passionate, impureforeigneroflittleunderstandingorintelligencesays:‘Oh,theHindusworshipthephallus. Theyareignorantpeople.Theyhavenophilosophy.’WhenaforeignertriestolearnTamilor Hindustanilanguage,hefirsttriestopickupsomevulgarwords.Thisishiscuriositynature.Even so,thecuriousforeignertriestofindoutsomedefectsintheworshipofthesymbol.Lingamisonly theoutwardsymboloftheformlessBeing,LordSiva,Whoistheindivisible,all-pervading,eternal, auspicious,ever-pure,immortalessenceofthisvastuniverse,Whoistheundyingsoulseatedinthe chambersofyourheart,WhoisyourIndweller,innermostSelforAtman,onewithBrahman.

SphatikalingamisalsoasymbolofLordSiva.ThisisprescribedforAradhanaorworshipof LordSiva.Itismadeofquartz.Ithasnocolourofitsown,buttakesonthecolourofthesubstance whichcomesincontactwithit.ItrepresentstheNirgunaBrahmanortheattributelessSupreme Self.

Forasinceredevotee,theLingamisnotablockofstone.ItisallradiantTejasorChaitanya (LightorConsciousness).TheLingamtalkstohim,makeshimshedprofusetears,produces horripilationandmeltingofheart,raiseshimabovebody-consciousness,andhelpshimto communewiththeLordandattainNirvikalpaSamadhi.LordRamaworshippedtheSivaLingamat Rameshwaram.WhatagreatmysticShaktithereshouldbeintheLingam!

PUJAANDISHTADEVATA

Pujaisthecommontermforritualworship,ofwhichtherearenumeroussynonymssuchas Archana,Vandana,Bhajana,etc.,thoughsomeofthesestresscertainaspectsofit.Theobjectof worshipistheIshtaDevataortheguardiandeityortheparticularformoftheDeitywhomthe devoteeworships.

Whilstallthingsmaybetheobjectsofworship,choiceisnaturallymadeofthoseobjects which,byreasonoftheireffectonthemind,aremorefittedforit.Animageoroneoftheuseful emblemsislikelytoraiseinthemindoftheworshipperthethoughtofGod.

InPuja,animageorpicturerepresentingsomedivineformisusedastheobjectofworship. Theimageisadored.ALingamrepresentsSiva.Allformsareone.AllareadoringthesameIswara. Thedifferencesareonlydifferencesofnamesduetodifferenceinthetemperamentofthe worshippers,butnotintheobjectofadoration.Itisonlyoutofignorancethatdifferentreligionists anddifferentsectsfightandquarrelamongstthemselves.

Regularworship,Pujaorothermodesofdemonstratingourinnerfeelingofrecognitionof DivinityintheidolunveiltheDivinitylatentinit.Thisistrulyawonderandamiracle.Thepicture comestolife.Theidolspeaks.Itwillansweryourquestionsandsolveyourproblems.TheGodin youhasthepowertoawakenthelatentDivinityintheidol.Itislikeapowerfullensthatfocusses thesun’sraysontoabundleofcotton.Thelensisnotfireandthecottonisnotfireeither,norcan thesun’srays,bythemselves,burncotton.Whenthethreearebroughttogetherinaparticular manner,fireisgeneratedandthecottonisburnt.Similaristhecasewiththeidol,thepowerofthe devotee’sconcentrationandfaithmakestheidolshinewithresplendence.Godisthenenshrinedin theidol.Fromhere,Hewillprotectyouinaspecialmanner.Theidolwillperformmiracles.The placewhereitisinstalledisatoncetransformedintoatemple,nay,aVaikuntha(abodeofLord Vishnu)orKailasa(abodeofLordSiva).Thosewholiveinsuchaplacearefreedfrommiseries, fromdiseases,fromfailuresandfromSamsaraitself.TheawakenedDivinityintheidolactsasa guardianangel,blessingall,conferringthehighestgoodonthedevotees.

AlltheNayanarsattainedGod-realisationthroughtheworshipoftheLingam,theimageof LordSiva.Apseudo-Vedantinfeelsashamedtobowdownorprostratebeforeanidol.Appar, Sundarar,Sambandaretc.,hadthehighestAdwaiticrealisation.TheysawLordSivaeverywhere andyettheyvisitedalltemplesofSiva,prostratedbeforetheidolandsanghymnswhichareon recordnow.TheNayanarsaintspractisedChariyaiandKriyaionlyandattainedGod-realisation. Theysweptthefloorofthetemple,collectedflowers,madegarlandsfortheLord,andputonlights inthetemple.Theywereilliterate,butattainedthehighestrealisation.TheywerepracticalYogis andtheirheartsweresaturatedwithpuredevotion.TheywereembodimentsofKarmaYoga.Allof thempractisedtheYogaofSynthesis.TheidolinthetemplewasamassofConsciousnessforthem.

LordKrishnagivesadescriptionofworshiptoUddhavaintheeleventhchapterofSrimad Bhagavatam:

‘Thesun,fire,earth,orclay,water,aBrahmin,anyimageofMineintheconcrete,clearly thoughtofasseatedintheheart,maybeworshippedinMyNamesincerelywithsucharticlesas

couldbeobtainedbyhim.Theworshipshouldbesincereandwhole-heartedandthedevoteeshould imagineMeashispreceptor.ThedevoteeshouldbeginMyworshipforobtainingMygraceandnot foranyotherdesire.InordinaryimagesIshouldbeinvokedateverytimeofworship.Icanbe picturedinthemind.TheworshipofMyimageintheheartshouldbewithaccessoriespicturedin themind.

‘Theimageshouldbewashedorbathed,cleanedandadornedwithornamentsandmarks. Thedevoteeshouldnotriseinthemidstofworshiptogetsomearticles.Onceseated,hemustfinish itbeforeherisesforanything.Heshouldbeseatedon Darbha grassorothercleanseat.Hemustput Myimagefacingnorthoreastormusthimselfsitfacingnorthoreast.HemustsitfacingMeor sideways.Heshouldrepeatthemantrasforpurifyinghimself.Heshouldcleanhisbodybycontrol ofbreath.HeshouldsitquietandmeditateonMeforsometime.

‘HeshouldfancyMeasinalotuswitheightpetals,overflowingwithfragranceandradiant withlight.Sandal-wood,saffron,camphor, Kumkum andfragranceshouldbeused.PurushaSukta (aVedicprayer)andothersacredliteratureshouldberecited.MydevoteemayadornMewithcloth, gems,sacredthread,sandal,flowers,saffron,andointments,etc.Thedevoteeshouldofferwaterfor washingtheFeet,Achamanam(forsipping),sandal,wordsofgreeting,invitation,andhospitality. Heshouldalsowaveincense,lightandcamphoratMyaltar.HecansingaloudhymnsinMypraise. HecansingsongsanddanceinMyaltarrecitingMyvariousdeedsandachievements.Heshould seekMygrace,prostratinghimselfdulybeforeMe.PuttinghisheadonMyFeet,heshouldaskfor Mygracetoprotecthimandsavehimfromthewheelofbirthsanddeaths.

‘Heshouldadornhimselfwiththeflowersandsandalusedinsuchworship.Thedevotee mayworshipMeinanyforminallobjectsorinhimselfinthemannerthatappealsmosttohismind, andinclinations,asIamimmanentinallthings.Mydevotee,worshippingMethuswithrituals, Mantrasorboth,attainsnotonlyblissandSelf-realisation,butalsoallthingshedesires.By buildingtemples,altars,etc.devoteesattainpoweroveralltheworlds.ByworshipofMethey attainBrahmaLoka.Byalltheacts,theyattainMypowerandimmanence.’

Bellsarerunginthetemples,andwhiledoingPuja,toshutouttheexternalsoundsandto makethemindinwardandconcentrated.

LightsarewavedbeforetheDeity.ThisdenotesthattheLordissupremeLight.Thedevotee says:‘OhLord,Thouartself-effulgent,Lightoftheuniverse.Thouartthelightinthesun,moon, andfire.RemovethedarknessinmebybestowingyourdivineLightonme.Maymyintellectbe illumined.’Thisisthesignificanceofwavinglights.

IncenseisburntbeforetheDeity.Thesmokespreadsthroughthewholeroom.Itactsasa disinfectant.ItdenotesthattheLordisall-pervadingandfillsthewholeuniversebyHisliving presence.Thedevoteeprays:‘OhLord,lettheVasanasandSamskarasdormantinmevanishlike thesmokeofthisincenseandbecomeashes.Letmebecomestainless.’

BurningofcamphordenotesthattheindividualegomeltslikethecamphorandtheJiva becomesonewiththeSupremeLightoflights.

Thepastingofsandalremindsthedevoteethatheshould,inhisdifficulties,beaspatientas thesandal.Sandalemanatessweetodourwhenitisground.Soalso,thedevoteeshouldnotmurmur whendifficultiesarise,but,ontheotherhand,remaincheerfulandhappyandemanatesweetness andgentlenesslikethesandal.Heshouldnothateevenhisenemy.Thisisanotherpreceptwelearn fromthis.Thoughthesandalwoodiscrushedandground,itsilentlywearsitselfout,emanatingonly verysweetodour.Oneshouldreturngoodforevil.

ItistheunderstandingofthisinnermeaningofPujathatbringsinthehigherformof devotion.

Bhaktiisoftwokinds,viz.,higherBhaktiorParaBhakti,andlowerBhaktiorritualistic Bhakti.RitualisticBhaktiisformalBhakti.Themindbecomespurerandpurer.Theaspirant graduallydevelopsloveforGodthroughritualisticworship.

Hinduismleadstheaspirantsgraduallyfrommaterialimagestomentalimages,andfrom thediversementalimagestotheonePersonalGod,andfromthePersonalGodtotheImpersonal Absolute.

DoJapaofthePanchakshara—OmNamahSivaya. YoucanevensingthePanchakshara nicely:

OmNamahSivaya,OmNamahSivaya, OmNamahSivaya,OmNamahSivaya.

Peopleusedtodance,duringmytours,wheneverIsangtheSivaTandavaKirtan:

AgadBhum,AgadBhumBajeDamaru, NacheSadasivaJajadGuru

NacheBrahma,NacheVishnu,NacheMahadev KapparLekeyKaliNacheNacheAdidev.

DoPujaregularlywithfaithanddevotion.Alwaysandattheendofyourprayers,Puja, meditationorJapa,repeattheMahamrityunjayaMantra—

OmTryambakamYajaamaheSugandhim

Pushtivardhanam,UrvaarukamivaBandhanaanMrityorMuksheeyaMaamritaat.

forthehealth,longlife,peaceandhappinessofall.ThisgreatMantrainpraiseofLordSiva workswonders,avertsaccidents,healsdiseasesandbestowslonglife.Itwillalsoliberateyoufrom Samsara.

GLOSSARY

Abhishekam —BathingtheimageofGod.

Aiswarya —Wealth.

Agama —Scripturedealingwithritualisticworship.

Archana —Worshippingtheimagewithflowers.

Bhasma —Theholyash.

Bhav —Attitude,faith.

Deva —Celestialbeing.

Jivanmukta —Thesage,liberatedwhilelivinghere.

Jnana —Wisdom,relatingtoGod.

Karma —Effectofpastaction(inpastbirths).

Khanda —Similartochapter,intheVedas.

Kowpeenam —Loincloth.

Mutt —Amonastery.

NityaKarmas —Dailyobligatoryduties.

Pralaya— Cosmicdissolution.

Rishabha —Bull,thevehicleofLordSiva.

Rudraksham —Akindofbeadusedbydevotees.

Samsara —Transmigration,roundofbirth-death.

Samskaras —Subtlementalimpressions.

Tapas (Tapaswin)—Austerity(onewhodoes).

Vairagya —Dispassion.

Vaisya —Abusinessman.

Yajna (Yaga)—Ceremonialsacrifice.

NOTE: Inthecaseofsomepropernames,theTamiltraditionofusingthemindifferent formshasbeenadopted:viz.,EnadinathaNayanarisreferredtoasEnadinatharorEnadiar.These willbeobvious.Thenamesofsomefestivals,viz.,PanguniUttaram,VasantaUtsavam,Maha Navami,havebeenretained.Thereareanumberofotherpropernames,too,withwhichthereader willbecomefamiliar.